Ironically, our things were on the same moving van from Houston to Baton Rouge to relocate as a part of BASF's Professional Development Program. The moving coordinator suggested Jim meet the "cute blonde girl" he unpacked earlier that day. Fast forward a few weeks later - Jim and I met at Fred's, a dive LSU bar in Tigerland, through a co-worker - Katherine Holland (she'll be at the wedding!). We weren't interested in dating (especially a co-worker), but had a mutual interest in road biking together. One of our first "dates" were biking around plantation homes in St. Francisville, LA. We have celebrated our anniversary on New Years Eve because we never could pinpoint when we "officially" started dating.

After dating for 4+ years, Jim (finally) proposed on Walloon Lake in Northern Michigan on a brisk September day. He proposed on a family friend's dock (thanks John and Terri!) after his earlier plan foiled with a wedding set-up. I could tell something was up as he walked us around the house and down a hill with heels! My mom flew up to surprise me and Jim's parents and sister, Sarah, joined in the celebration too. We had a lovely dinner at a local restaurant and spent the weekend enjoying the fall colors and lake. Walloon Lake is sentimental because Jim's parents (Greg & Nancy) were engaged there too and had celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary earlier that year!

We look forward to having our wedding in Jim's hometown. We fell in love with the historical Detroit Athletic Club (DAC). We thought the Pontchartrain Ballroom was fitting for our ceremony given our weekends exploring New Orleans while Jim lived there (Lake Pontchartrain surrounds Nola to the north). Jim's grandparents (Dan & Mary) were also members and his grandpa bowled in an after work league. While we planned to celebrate his memory with a bowling afterparty, we are still working with the DAC on a replacement after they alerted us it will be undergoing renovations.