This is where it gets interesting and not very romantic. We just had a huge blizzard, snow was packed, and it was super cold. If you’ve been to ND, you understand this deadly combination. So what was there to do for a bunch of college kids you might ask? Throw a party and have some drinks! Thanks to Groomsman Gerad Fugleberg who organized the event the MSUM wrestling and volleyball team decided to come together for lots of fun, music, games, and of course drinks. Well if you know Matthew he had a little too much fun. Far enough that he was hugging a toilet and could barely stand and of course the compassion of Amanda kicked in. She held his hair, wiped his face, and ensured he made it home safely thanks to a designated driver, Bridesmaid Sam Sullivan. Story gets a tad bit better, as mentioned earlier we were mid blizzard and this California boy had on jeans, t-shirt, and vans, no coat of course. Well when the vehicle pulled into the apartment complex, Amanda and Sam were unsure if he would need help just entering the locked building. Before they know it Matthew was gone like the wind. It wasnt until the next day that Matthew had the chance to thank Amanda and Sam for the guardianship! Matthew then asked Amanda to dinner and a movie and well the rest is history.

What a day! This was planned for some time with no real structure to the plan. We love to snowmobile and by this time we had been together for about 7 years, bought a house, and of course the jokes were coming in that common law was about to kick in. Nevertheless, it was time. Matthew had been communnicating with Amanda’s mother Jean about the upcoming weekend and had planned to pop the question on that particular trip. We woke up and the day was a bit gloomy, not too cold, and we had a nice snowfall overnight. What a day for a good ride! Matthew found Jean during breakfast and said today is the day! Matthew had previously spoken with Jean about wanting to find a nice scenic bridge but had no idea where. Everytime we pulled to a bridge Jean was looking back at Matthew in the mirror for approval. When finally, our leader Tom Bowden stopped at 18 mile creek bridge in Drummond, WI. This was PERFECT!!!!! We pulled over to take some pictures and enjoy the view. There was a family of deer crossing the opposite end of the bridge. Very casually we asked the Bowdens to take a picture, and Jean snuck a request to film instead. Matthew popped down on a knee and asked his best friend to be his forever partner. She, of course, began to weep like a rose on a hot day and didnt asnwer. He finally said "so, yes or no? Gotta get off this knee." Obviously she said YES!!!!! In typical fashion, Matthew says "Thank god, now your gonna hold this ring because I dont want to be responsible for losing it!" As many of you know, the ring was passed down to Matthew from his great grandparent’s 1933 wedding and holds a very special meaning to us both. We spent some more time taking in the view and taking some more pictures. Then, we decided to get off the bridge and head to a bar for a toast. We will forever remember 18 mile creek and the bridge as the start to our forever.