Our story began as a great friendship. We both share a passion and love for the Guernsey cow and are paths crossed many of times in the show ring and other Guernsey functions. Deanna and her brother worked alongside Heath's grandfather in helping run the state sale for several years. Our families got acquainted with each other over time, but some of Deanna's first memories of Heath was him tagging along to sales with his grandpa. On the other hand, one of Heath's first memories of Deanna is when she beat him with a heifer at the State Fair. Heath thought the heifer was "fat" and didn't deserve to win and of course Heath doesn't like to lose!

Living a little over 2 hours apart presented a challenge to see each other. Luckily with work, Deanna would travel through Jay County every 4-6 weeks to Richmond. Heath knew Deanna normally stayed overnight in Richmond and that particular day asked if she had any plans for the evening. She didn't. They met and had dinner at Frickers.

Attending the largest dairy show in the world, World Dairy Expo, Heath was the first to say I love you. Deanna was exhausted from preparing the show string and having little sleep in the barn. She was also very hungry or "hangry" as Heath would say. Deanna impatiently waited as we were making plans to go out to eat. Heath kept talking and trying to prove his point about something. Heath must have known, Deanna was annoyed and wanting to go because he blurted those 3 words out in a tone that was almost like asking for forgiveness.

As with a lot of big moments in our life cows were involved once again. We were headed to another cow show, this time NAILE. We stopped by his grandpa's place on the way. Heath's mom and grandpa were out trying to catch a heifer. Heath said one was in heat as soon as we pulled in the driveway. We went inside to eat dinner and Deanna kept staring out the kitchen window. She wanted to know what heifer they were catching or who was in heat. Heath kept telling her to sit down and eat dinner. They finished eating and Heath wanted to go to the barn to see the heifers. Deanna didn't think anything of it, for Heath always wants to see his heifers. We walked to the barn and scoped things out. Deanna was standing in the lot looking at the heifers and Heath walked up and put his arm around Deanna. He asked if we were missing some heifers? Deanna replied "Oh there just in the barn." Heath then proceeded to say "I love you, how much do you love me?" Deanna's response was one that left Heath laughing and struggling to keep it together. "Did you fart and walk over here, what did you do!?!" At that point, Heath knew Deanna didn't know what was happening. He turned her around and got down on one knee. His mom and grandpa were walking two heifers across the lot with the words "Will you" on the first heifer and "marry me" on the second heifer. Heath pulled out a ring and asked. Deanna was speechless, but pulled him in for a hug and kiss and said yes!