It's finally happening!

Our story starts back in high school where we had met each other a handful of times among mutual friends. We both remember enjoying each other’s' company, senses of humor, and each others smiles 😁 Fast forward a few years into the future, we were re-introduced in St. Cloud, MN where Josh had been living at the time and I (Katie) was going to college in River Falls, WI. The spark we had for each other was INSTANT, it was hard to be a part! We officially starting dating in August of 2013 and moved in together in 2014 with our first fur child, Loki! We really wanted our own place together, so we moved again into a townhouse in Shakopee, MN in 2017 where we currently reside. We also got our second, sassy, fur baby Lyla in 2018! We had been through a lot at this point. Josh had shoulder surgery a few years ago, we both had job changes, losses of friends and family members; many things that can test a relationship. We both have patience and a strong love and commitment to each other, that has gotten us through all of these challenges throughout the years. You could say, the rest is history!

It was no surprise to us, or friends and family, that we would end up together at this point. We had been together 6 years before the surprise proposal. Josh planned for months to create this special moment in our lives! I think most of our friends and family knew about it without me finding out... which is still a surprise to me that I didn't find out somehow, haha! You guys kept a good secret!! Even when Josh thought my aunt Jenn ruined it at my cousin Melissa's wedding, I still didn't suspect anything! 🤣 (it's a good story). We planned a trip to Arizona for what I thought was for Josh's 30th birthday. Little did I know, there was something else brewing... On October 1st, 2019 in the warm sun and beautiful landscape of Sedona, Arizona, Josh got down on one shaky knee while on top of Devil's Bridge and popped the question! Our friends David and Jessica were on the side lines documenting and sharing this special moment with us. We don't remember much of what was said but I do remember looking at him and his smile in that moment. While happy tears streamed down our faces, I said Yes!!

We were in a pool, watching the sunset the night of our engagement and both decided we wanted to get married in Sedona, AZ; it had become a special place for us. Since we are choosing to have a destination wedding, we will not be able to invite all our beloved friends and family. We are going to have a smaller wedding ceremony and reception, and we will be live streaming the ceremony for those who cannot attend or haven't been invited. We will also have a larger reception back in Minnesota some time after the wedding in 2021, once COVID has subsided/we have less unknowns about that, and we can find a place to host a large group. We do hope that if you have not been invited to the destination wedding that you understand and that it is not anything personal. Thank you so much, we are very blessed to have each and every one of you in our lives, and we look forward to celebrating with all of you in 2021!!