We're getting married.

Ashley and Connor’s story began in 2018 at Zaza’s, a beloved bar near Winona State University. Across the room, a glance turned into a spark—and in true 21st-century fashion, Connor followed up by sliding into Ashley’s DMs (bold move, but clearly the right one). Later that same night, fate intervened when a mutual friend introduced them in person. From that moment on, they were pretty much inseparable. After graduation, they made their first home together in Uptown Minneapolis, where they adopted their first cat, Sukka, and learned what it meant to build a life side by side—one full of laughter, takeout dinners, and more cat hair than they ever thought possible. Their next adventure took them to Denver, Colorado, where they embraced mountain life, made unforgettable memories, and adopted their second cat, Onyx. It was a time filled with growth, friendship, and the kind of quiet joy that comes from just being in the right place, with the right person. Eventually, the desert called—specifically, Arizona—where Connor began graduate school to pursue his Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Together, they embraced the sunshine, the slower pace, and the excitement of chasing big dreams in a brand new place. Then, in December of 2023, Connor surprised Ashley with a trip back to where it all began: their first apartment in Uptown Minneapolis. It was there, in that tiny space that held so many early memories, that he asked her to marry him. Now, as they return to Minnesota, Ashley and Connor are ready to begin their next chapter—this time as husband and wife—grateful for every step that brought them here, and excited for all that’s still to come.