John and Erica met in Colorado about 8 years ago through Erica's friend and coworker, who had been in Americorps with John. Their first date didn’t amount to much; John claims Erica ran away from him, but she says she was just jumping off the train before the doors closed on her! But fate wouldn't give up.
Erica saw John a few months later at a dinner with mutual friends. They flirted with sarcastic jokes. Erica says she had butterflies; she thought John was cute and liked his boots. After dinner, they got ice cream and Erica got John to fall for the classic “smell my ice cream” joke. He smelled it, alright, and she shoved the ice cream RIGHT UP HIS NOSE. They obviously started dating after that.
Each year since they have been together, Erica and John have shared some kind of adventure in the majestic Rocky Mountains. This has not always been pleasant or fun, especially after learning quickly that they should not have brought avocados and bananas on their first backpacking trip! But, they help each other reach the tops of the mountains, and Erica always feels safe with John by her side. It was fitting when the couple got engaged on July 23, 2020, surrounded by nature.
On top of loving nature, Erica and John also share a love for Minnesota. John grew up in Minnesota on a farm and holds onto the most precious memories of farm life shared with his family and grandparents. Erica is from Illinois but would travel to Minnesota with her family every summer for vacation. She holds dear memories of fishing, skiing, eating Betty Anne’s famous cookies, turtle races, and putting on concerts with her childhood friends and sister using cattails as microphones. Erica and John are so excited to add to their long list of Minnesota memories by getting married on one of the beautiful 10,000 lakes with the people they love… and the sound of loon calls in the distance.