Some might say our love story was written in the stars. A chance meeting in the quirky town of Jerome, Arizona back in 2017 planted the seed, but it was fate (or perhaps a bit of luck) that brought us together five years later. Fast forward to the summer of 2022. Jess was living in New York, and Mike was in Scottsdale. Mike broke the ice with a text - "Hey Jess. I think you're cute. Talk to me goose." From there, we reconnected and started chatting, quickly realizing there was a spark. Jess, excited to hang out, mentioned she was planning a trip to Arizona that October. That's when Mike dropped a bombshell: he was moving back to Rochester, Minnesota in August. Disappointed but undeterred, we refused to let distance dampen our newfound connection. On a whim, Jess booked a flight to Rochester for Labor Day weekend (her first time ever in Minnesota). That weekend, which turned into 11 days, was magical and filled with laughter, adventure, and an undeniable sense of belonging. So much so, Mike flew to New York that next week. Clearly we knew this was something special... Just a couple months later, in November, we took a leap of faith - Jess moved from NY to MN and we officially began our life together. From a chance encounter in a ghost town to a spontaneous trip across the country, our journey has been anything but ordinary. We can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead as we embark on this new chapter together. #throughthemoon

It was Memorial Day weekend, also Jess' birthday. Mike, ever the party planner, decided to host a celebration at our house with family, friends and their 17 kiddos. Drinks were flowing and the house was buzzing with excitement. After a couple hours, Mike gathered everyone together, “time to sing happy birthday!" Jess, a bit overwhelmed by the attention (and the lack of cake and candles), couldn't wait for the song to end. Finally, the singing subsided, and everyone started to disperse. Just as Jess was breathing a sigh of relief, Mike shouted "stay put!" followed by, "Jess, please stand up.” In a heartbeat, everyone's attention was back on Jess and Mike as he nervously dropped to one knee. Completely surprised, and overjoyed, Jess shouted "YES!" And just like that, amidst the chaos and joy of a house full of loved ones, we were engaged! We’re SO excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in May!