Both of us were a part of APO, a service fraternity in college and a national convention is held every other year. The year we met, it was in Pittsburgh. I (Melissa) was the only one from UMN to go on this trip, so I was heavily relying on making connections at this convention. Dan was there with other members from NDSU enjoying his last hoorah after graduation. The first day of the conference was introductions, and found out we share the same love for Nelson's Ice Cream. Conversations grew and we spent just about all of our free time together during this four day conference. When it was over, we shared an Uber to the airport and was ready to say our goodbyes. He walked with me to my gate and right before he left for a different flight, he asked me out on a date.

We were on a mini trip to Superior with my family for my mom's birthday in April. This was a time for us to get away and relax before art fair season and a crazy summer schedule. We set out on a hike at Gooseberry Falls during a beautiful and warmer winter day. It was such an enjoyable trail with waterfalls starting to pour through the ice and quiet surrounding us. We got to the farthest point in our hike and our turnaround point was over a bridge. As we approached I'm staring down at the watering flowing through the breakage in the ice, not paying much attention to anything or anyone else. I remember making some comment to Dan and when I didn't hear a response I turned around to find him down on one knee. The ring he proposed with is so special because it was my grandmother's. She gave it to me before she passed and my mom put it in a safe place so I wouldn't lose it. After all these years I had forgotten it existed. While we've been together for so long, I was still in shock by it all. And of course I said yes.