Max and Catherine’s story began when they met in first grade at Saint Francis Catholic School. After she left Saint Francis in third grade, the two of them would only see each other every once in a while at camps or around the Brainerd Lakes Area. Fast forward to the summer after graduating high school, they became good friends. Their friendship began to grow as they ended up going to the same college: The College of Saint Benedict’s and Saint John’s University. They quickly became best friends and later started dating at the beginning of their sophomore year. After graduating from school, they both enjoyed their summers back home in the Brainerd Lakes Area. They celebrated their 3-year anniversary on September 24th, 2025, the same day Max asked her parents for their blessing. Max proposed on October 20th, 2025!