Gallery

Maya & Dre were born in the same year, two months apart. In November & December each year, Maya relishes in being the "younger woman."

Maya & Dre's first date was technically at a Chipotle in Prior Lake, MN.

The date of Maya & Dre's wedding is also their anniversary. Not only will they be celebrating their wedding day, but also 4 years together again.

Dre fits the Johnson "birthday twin" coincidence. He shares a birthday with Maya's cousin, Kevon.

Maya & Dre spend every Valentines Day at their favorite NE sushi spot, Momo Sushi.

When they split in college, Maya & Dre's families would always ask them what the other person was up to - even when they were dating other people! Your family always knows best!

Maya & Dre share a bond over their their grandfathers. While Dre never got to meet Grandpa Denny, he did meet Maya's Grandpa Everett and Maya got to meet Grandpa Greg before they both passed in 2017.

While dating long distance, if Maya was having a hard day, Dre would always offer to order her a pizza over the phone.

Maya is an avid coffee drinker but Dre cant stand the taste. He has tried hard to learn how to make her a cup on Saturday mornings.

Maya & Dre have dreams of one day opening up a business together and giving back to their communities.

After months of facetime, Maya & Dre met for the first time at Rochester Community College. It was a little awkward as Dre's team had lost by 30 points on Valentines day. Maya even made him a sign.

Dre & his co-host Casaun released a special episode of their podcast where Dre discussed getting engaged to Maya called "Ring Season."

Over the last 10 years, Maya & Dre have probably spent hundreds of hours in the car together to and from MO or separately to go visit each other. They've mastered the art of road tripping together.

Although Maya & Dre are located in Minneapolis, MN, they try to roadtrip to Columbia, MO 2-3 times per year to spend time with Dre's family and friends.

Maya & Dre share a bit of a sweet tooth. In college and still today, cinnamon rolls, late night gourmet cheesecake, or trips for a little ice cream are not uncommon.

Weekend games to watch Dre play JUCO were a big reason that Maya & Dre saw each other. In fact, the first time they ever met each other in person was after a bad loss in Rochester on Valentines Day!

3 and 1/2 hours apart, much of Maya & Dre's early relationship in college was spent long distance with Dre attending Minnesota West in Worthington & Maya studying at St. Kate's in St. Paul.

That one Valentines Day Dre decided to shave all his facial hair. Maya wasn't too happy. They drove into South Dakota for a Valentines sushi date - they would go on to spend every V-day over sushi!

Family is SO important to both Maya & Dre. One thing Maya is so grateful for is that Dre got to spend a 4th of July with all her family and meet her grandparents at their home in Pequot Lakes, MN.

FaceTime . . . sooooo . . . many . . . FaceTimes!

Matching Minnesota Style!

Joining Maya's family, Dre has become accustomed to cabin weekend with the Gohmans.

Maya & Dre, Sunset on Portage Lake Park Rapids, MN (2016)

Dre has always been so supportive of Maya and her academic career. Although they were no longer together due to distance, Dre visited for Maya's graduation from St. Catherine University in 2017.

Dre isn't the biggest fan of baseball, but Maya sure is! He has become a MN Twin's fan by proxy but that doesn't stop him from constantly trolling Maya about how the St. Louis Cardinals are doing.

When Maya & Dre reconnected after college, they started visiting each other again in secret. They wanted to reconnect without any pressure from the world around them about how things might turn out.

Celebrating Dre's 28th birthday on much less secret weekend trip to Minnesota. Following long distance in college, this would be the first birthday of many that Maya & Dre spent together.

Having reconnected in the last 6 months, Maya & Dre went to Chicago in December of 2021. They went to celebrate Maya's birthday and ring in the New year. Their first official trip together EVER!

While in Chicago, they tested + for COVID and spent their entire trip quarantining. During this week they expressed their remaining love for each other and decided to officially get back together.

Maya & Dre vacation with family for Spring Break 2022. It would be on this trip that Dre would get a call offering him a job in Minneapolis and they decided to move in together.

Maya & Dre, Cancun 2022

After a one way ticket to Missouri, Maya & Dre pack up to move Dre to Minneapolis.

Family & Friends coming together to officially welcome Dre to MN after his big move.

Maya & Dre at one of their favorite Mpls destinations - the Stone Arch Bridge. Little did they know, 2 years later, they would be re-creating this photo after getting engaged!

Whether it is hiking or canoeing, Taylor's Falls has been a go-to outdoor getaway for Maya & Dre since their college days.

Maya & Dre are definitely fair goers. The MN state fair, also known as "great MN get together" is one of their favorite ways to close out the summer!

Maya & Dre take Vegas (2022)

Amy, Maya & Connor have always been one strong unit of 3. It took a very special person to add to the mix and grow our family to 4!

Celebrating Maya's 28th birthday at a light festival in downtown St. Paul, MN.

Since meeting, Maya & Dre have long bonded over their love for the game of basketball. You will often catch them in the bleachers watching a good high school, college, or professional match up.

Dre couldn't join Maya's life without learning a long family tradition of playing Cribbage. While he rarely can beat her (wink wink) playing cards together is one of Maya & Dre's favorite pass times.

Maya & Dre in Duluth, MN (2023)

Visiting Dre's family in Columbia, MO!

Maya & Dre triple date and visit the North Shore for a beautiful (and cold) winter getaway.

In the fall of 2023, Maya & Dre visited Boston together so Maya could finally see where Dre went to school, to celebrate Dre's bday and to look at engagement rings! They would get engaged 6 mo. later.

The evening Dre proposed to Maya, they were spending the weekend having a staycation in Minneapolis. Dre proposed to her alone at the Hewing Hotel following a dreamy, adventurous night in the city.

Maya & Dre revisiting one of their favorite views of the city following their Spring 2024 engagement.

The future Mr. & Mrs. Pennington celebrating their engagement with family and friends.

When visiting Kansas City, Dre surprises Maya with a trip to the National Negro Baseball museum.

Taylor's Falls Hiking!

Spending weekends together in rural MN, there wasn't much to do and so college date nights often included Dre's favorite activity - bowling. Catch them at Elsie's Northeast! Sometimes Maya even wins!

A divided household, Dre's 29th birthday gift was tickets to see the Maya's Vikings play Dre's 49ers in Minneapolis. Sadly, the Niners didn't bring Dre a birthday win.

Wedding guest season! Before starting to embark on their own wedding, Maya & Dre have loved attending weddings of family and friends to celebrate them!

Maya & Dre celebrate the start to their holiday break at one of their favorite distilleries in Northeast Mpls.

Annual state fair trip with Diamond!

Harmon the Great Dane doesnt love many people more than he loves Dre who is always willing to play with him nonstop.