We first crossed paths on a freezing Chicago morning during a frostbite sailing race, the kind of day when the lake felt more like a skating rink than water. Connor, confident as ever, attempted to ice skate his way off the bow of the boat, and Katrina was certain someone was about to end up in Lake Michigan. Thankfully, no rescue effort was required. Connor remembers something else from that morning: Katrina’s bubbly personality, her energy, and the way she seemed to light up the dock despite the bitter cold. Katrina, meanwhile, remembers making… well, more than a few moves. Connor remained gloriously oblivious until a friend finally nudged him with, “She may be keen on you.” Once that message got through, everything else began to fall into place, easily and naturally. Beyond his steady presence and signature quiet calm, what stood out most to Katrina was Connor’s kindness, the rare kind of person about whom no one has a bad word to say. That warmth, paired with his quiet strength, sparked a love that grew steadily and surely (though in Katrina’s case, perhaps a bit more loudly) and always felt like home. For Connor, one of the things he loves most about Katrina is how easily we can be silly together, how we dissolve into laughter over nothing at all, are completely ourselves, and find joy in even the most ordinary days. After a year of long but close distance between Milwaukee and Chicago, a move north to Milwaukee, and eventually buying a house in 2025, life settled into a rhythm that felt unmistakably like building something lasting. Along the way came memories like camping at Devil’s Lake, far too cold for Katrina’s liking, but she bravely powered through because Connor was in his element, doing everything he could to keep her warm. It’s a favorite memory not because of the temperature, but because it captures us perfectly: choosing each other’s adventures, showing up fully, and loving through it all, even when it means shivering a little. Somewhere amid that busy, happy stretch, Connor set aside a day just for the two of us. Katrina picked the activity, a hike that conveniently included one of our favorite things: a waterfall. When we reached it, Connor got down on one knee. Katrina immediately started crying, pointed out that his knee was getting dirty, and attempted to put the ring on herself. It was perfectly us: heartfelt and sincere, a little chaotic, and completely full of joy. And now, here we are, ready to begin the next chapter of our greatest adventure yet. What started on a freezing dock has grown into a life built on kindness, laughter, resilience, and unwavering support. From frostbite races to waterfall proposals, from long distance weekends to building a home together, our story has always been about choosing each other, in the calm, in the chaos, and in every season in between. Whatever comes next, we know one thing for certain: we are strongest, happiest, and most at home when we’re side by side.