It all started as most love stories do, marching in drum corps. It was 2014 and this was Jessa’s first year marching drum corps, while Nate had marched on and off since 2006. The first time they talked was entirely by chance. The corps was on a bus trip to Alexandria MN, the first full corps travel event of the season. Jessa and her seat partner were both rookies and had lots of questions about what the weekend would entail and about drum corps in general. At one point they decided to ask one of the nearby vets to help with their discussion. Questions turned into conversation which lasted the whole weekend. When the trip came to an end, Jessa and Nate continued chatting for the rest of the summer and into the fall. A simple question changed their lives that day. A friendship turned into a loving relationship that will last a lifetime.

For several months Nate had been looking for the right opportunity to pop the question. He always had this vision of proposing somewhere overlooking a stunning view. With it being late winter/early spring these types of scenes were few and far between. Finally, an early June day turned into a beautiful sunny day and the opportunity seemed too good to pass up. Nate talked Jessa into going out for a hike at a nearby state park, with the intention of hiking up to the top of a bluff. Nate and Jessa packed a picnic dinner and headed out for an evening hike at Whitewater State Park. While Jessa had been there as a kid, Nate was nervous not knowing what to expect up ahead. They hiked around one of the main trails for a while and then headed back to the base of the park and had their picnic. After some delicious sandwiches it was off to a new trail that Nate had researched called Inspiration Point. As they began to hike up, they realized it was a much less popular trail; in fact they didn't come across a single other person the entire hike. About halfway up the bluff, they came across a very rickety set of wooden stairs that would take them to the top. Since each of them both hated heights, Jessa wasn't sure they should proceed but Nate encouraged her saying he had heard the views were worth the work. When they got to the top, it was clear Nate was right. The pathway at the top of the bluff came out to a rock point that overlooked the valley that ran through the park. As they got up there, the sun was just beginning to set. The view was breathtaking; but it didn't compare to what came next. Jessa stood at the point taking pictures and enjoying the view but when she turned around, Nate was down on one knee holding a ring. He said "I told you it would be worth it. Will you marry me?" It was an easy yes!