Gavin & Gretchen are Tying the Knot!

We first met during a youth group lock in! Gavin’s church in North Pole was hosting a night of games, activities, and worship. During one of the games Gavin and Gretchen were paired up as partners! Desperate to win hide and seek, the competitive duo worked their hardest to find the perfect hiding spot. We ended up hiding so incredibly well, that our group leader had to call out our names! After feeling so accomplished we high fived and separated. Immediately after, we both developed… a crush! Fast forward a few months middle school starts up, we automatically recognized one another, but we couldn’t place how. Birthday party? Soccer practice? Aha! Youth Night! We finally connected the dots in the middle of our Social Studies period. After becoming friends, Gretchen became eager to make Gavin aware of her feelings. She decided that during her lunch period, she would leave the cafeteria and pull out a sticky note. And she would write “ Have a great day Gavin!” Signed with a heart. Now at the time, Gretchen had no idea Gavin knew it was her sneaking notes in his locker every day. One day Gretchen got curious and waited near his locker to watch his reaction to one of her notes. She watches him slowly approach his locker.. he opens it… he see’s the letter.. then crumples it up and throws it away!!! At this point Gretchen was obviously disappointed, but she was determined. And as middle school girls do, she sends her best friends to tell Gavin of her feelings for him! Gretchen is outside of the school desperately awaiting the arrival of her friends. But instead of coming out the front door alone, they come out side by side with Gavin! Gretchen leaps into the snow bank, thinking he can’t see her when he is clearly laughing at the situation. She just laid there in the snow waiting for her friends to come comfort her. But instead of comfort, she received more laughter! The girls giggled together and Gretchen soon finds out, that he feels the same way. The next morning at school we were SO AWKWARD. We had the same first period gym class, and we were both dreading it. 360° kickball was the game we played that day. And we both completely avoided one another. It wasn’t till second period until Gretchen confronted Gavin in the hallway. She states “ Gavin I’m sorry I was so awkward yesterday, it’s just hard to act normal around you because I like you so much.” Gretchen already overwhelmed says goodbye and immediately turns around and starts walking away. Gavin blatantly says “wait!!” Gretchen turned around and as simple as this Gavin goes “ would you like to be my girlfriend?” She nods and they head off to class. This is the story of how we met, pure and simple.. but also hilarious!

A proposal was still needed to seal the deal. It was obvious there would be a wedding soon in the future, but we needed to officially announce it! Gavin had already given Gretchen her ring in order to take engagement photos, but the engagement hadn’t taken place yet. A proposal plan was needed! We were on our way to Denali National Park and both Gavin and Gretchen knew, that on the end of this trip they would officially be engaged. Day 2 of the camping trip, we drive to the popular hiking trail, Savage River. Gretchen had given Gavin the ring back, so he would still be given the ability to kneel and pop the question. After hiking a mile, we make it to the bridge. Gretchen turns around and gives him permission to “officially” propose. She definitely knew it was going down. Gavin kneels down, and pulls out the ring. Even though this proposal was no surprise, it was still perfect, and just as exciting. Gavin looks at Gretchen, both still smiling, and he asks her to become his wife. And immediately without hesitation, she says yes.

Valentines Day 2018. Gavin had never been a big fan of the day and Gretchen never really went out of her way to celebrate it. But now they were in their first relationship. And they had absolutely NO IDEA what to do. They ended up meeting at the bowling alley after school with some friends. They bowled together, laughed together, and ate way too many bowling alley tater tots! Once it was time for Gavin to head back to the school Gretchen met him at the door to say goodbye. Standing in the doorway with an awkward silence surrounding them, they lean in for a kiss! And at this time in their relationship Gavin was significantly shorter than Gretchen, so she missed his lips… After the awkward and “not so magical” first kiss, they parted ways very quickly!! Pretending like nothing happened.. When in reality both of them were loosing their minds.♥️