We met at a campground in Central Indiana, where we were staying at separate campsites with entirely different groups of people. Jess arrived late and was famished after setting up her tent in the dark. She stopped by Aaron's campsite and asked if she could possibly roast a hot dog over their fire. They said yes. We started talking around the campfire and we never stopped. At the time, Jess lived in Chicago and Aaron lived in Madison. We would spend weekends driving back and forth to see one another for the next two years before moving in together. Since then, we've lived in Madison and Mosinee and just recently bought our first home in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

On a recent visit to Albuquerque, we decided to take the tram up to the highest peak of the Sandia Mountains. In Albuquerque, where the annual rainfall is usually minimal, it rained nearly the entire time. The tram closed down due to the weather, but we went for a little hike in the foothills nonetheless. Aaron had told Jess beforehand that he wanted to make a point of taking more pictures of her on this trip, since she's normally the designated photographer. When he told her to go stand over near a ridge and look pensively into the distance so he could snap a picture, she didn't think anything of it. Jess turned around and he was on one knee. Aaron told her that, even though things hadn't gone according to plan during this trip, they hardly ever do, and that there's no one he'd rather have by his side through all life's challenges.

We are nothing if not resilient. Like many couples who intended to get married in 2020, our plans were derailed several times. As the public health crisis unfolded, we decided to tie the knot closer to home, hoping to follow our private ceremony with a big celebration one year later when we could more safely gather. Unfortunately, a mere week before the big day, Aaron was diagnosed with covid-19. With our marriage license already in hand, we made the heartbreaking decision to postpone our whole celebration. Though none of this has gone how we imagined, we're so excited to celebrate with you! We will say our vows next year in a small, intimate ceremony at Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Please save the date and join us for a ring warming ceremony and reception shortly thereafter at the Domokos Family Cabin in Necedah, Wisconsin on October 23rd, 2021.