So we all know that I am the talkative one, so I will gladly take the liberty of writing this section to tell you all about how this handsome guy and I met & fell in love. THE MONDAY NIGHT THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES 01.27.2020 So, it's 2020 and like many others, Ben & I both decided we'd try these dating apps everyone talks about. When I came across his profile, it said next to nothing about him (surprising, right?) but I was immediately pulled in -- handsome, career-oriented, a servant of God and his community... It was all seeming too good to be true. I needed to meet this man! I swiped, he swiped, we chatted a bit, & quickly had our first date on the books. We decided on a local restaurant in White Bear Lake (Washington Square) and knew that we wanted to meet ASAP. He wanted Sunday night, but since it was my mom's birthday, we agreed on Monday. Unbeknownst to me, Ben totally thought I was lying about my Sunday plans with Mom but it didn't take him long to realize that she's my BFF & I LOVE birthdays! Anyway, Monday night comes around & I was NERVOUS. Like the holy-sh*t, life-is-about-to-change, don't-screw-this-up kind of nervous. Like the gentleman he is & the chronically late gal that I am, Ben was waiting outside of the restaurant when I arrived. I approached the building, stomach full of butterflies, trying desperately not to slip on the ice as I saw him watching me walk up and he greeted me with a "Courtney?". I instantly thought "oh no, do I not look like my pictures?" LOL. We were taken to our seats in the back corner & with the fireplace going we talked and talked and talked. About anything & everything. There was no subject off limits and we spilled our hearts out to one another at that little table that night. Hours passed and I knew I was in love with this man. When the restaurant was closing down around us, we decided we should probably go. With our goodbyes, I nonchalantly said "so, I'll see you tomorrow?" and we did! And every single day since.

As my Winter Break from school was coming to a close, and so was the crazy year of 2020, Ben suggested that we take a little getaway to Duluth, MN. The perfect end to a break before returning to work. This wasn't really unusual for us (Duluth is our favorite stay-cation spot) so I was ALL IN! January 2nd rolls around, the day we planned to head up to Duluth, and as usual, I am taking my time getting ready, enjoying the slow pace of the morning and leisurely getting ready for a fun night away. Ben was surprisingly eager to get on the road, asking how long it would be until I was ready (pet peeve, y'all, pet peeeeve). I was confused why it mattered when we left, but hustled to finish up so we could be on our way. We drove the 2+ hours & I was completely oblivious to Ben's nerves. We arrived at the hotel, brought our stuff up to the room and again he starts with this "agenda", which if you know Ben, should have been a big indicator that something was up but I didn't even think twice about it. He ushered me outside into the frigid cold to head by the firepits and the beautiful view of the bridge. He asked me to help him get wood for the fire, but I was a little slow on that request because I was taking in the view. He asked again and I remember thinking "YOU'RE not even bringing wood to the fire, why do you need me to do this for you?" but I obliged and joined him. I can't remember quite what we were talking about but then he said "you know how much I love you, right?" I spun around to say "well of course, babe!" and there he was on one knee, proposing with the beautiful backdrop of Duluth behind us. I can't quite remember what else he said because I screamed yes (maybe even before he asked- who knows). The easiest decision of my life. Oh, and Ben's promptness was because his sister Liz, husband Gregor, and their newborn (our ring bearer) Henry were hiding out in the cold to take pictures of it all. I promise I would have had more pep in my step had I known!