I first got to meet the real KG at Surly Brewing Co. in Minneapolis, MN on our first date. KG was the first date I could get who liked IPAs, and I jumped at the opportunity for an excuse to be at one of my favorite places. I don't know what it was about KG that felt different, but I think it was how genuine she was. Within weeks, we were spending more time together than we were apart! We found that we shared a love for seafood, books and travel, and the small joys of each other's company. One of the reasons I began to love her more and more was how she was not afraid of what I thought, telling me how it was and how she felt without any reservation. Somehow, we packed many years worth of memories into just 9 months--summer nights in Three Lakes, WI, cool fall mornings in Tokyo, JP, and hot days around Dallas, TX. It wasn't just the big trips, but the small things, too, like coffee after church, fishing together Up North, or the way her voice peaks and falls when she says "I love you". KG is many things--a diet coke connoisseur, a Target fanatic, a 2nd time student, a new healthcare worker, a loyal friend, a grateful daughter, and a child of God--but, to me, she is a beautiful bundle of love, care, generosity, and thoughtfulness, and I cannot imagine the rest of my life without her.

Back in February 2024, I ghosted Jack on a dating app and then somehow, 2 months later, he found me on another one. At first, I found it a bit odd, but he charmed his way into a first date. When I showed up on a Wednesday evening in April, I immediately thought he ditched me... When I walked into Surly, I could not find him anywhere. I searched around for him and suddenly, he appeared, making his way back to the table he chose from the bathroom. We sat at that table, sipping on our beers for hours until the place closed. It was an exciting 3 or so hours of great conversation. At the end of the date, Jack walked me back to my car and asked to hug me goodbye and I could not resist. When I got home, all I could think about was how I wanted to see him again and again and again. And we did just that! Jack won me over with his nerdiness, the comfort he brought me and his beautiful blue eyes. Since day one, he's felt like home with his tight squeeze of a hug, and now, a hug I cannot live without. From 5 hour car rides or 12 hour airplane rides to nights making dinner together or days out on the lake, there's no place I'd rather be then by his side, in his arms.