Almost Mr. & Mrs. Hanson

Katie explains it as: We've dreamed about a winter wedding since we first started discussing marriage. Summers, for us, always feel fast and busy, plus I didn't want the added pressure of tan lines or avoiding injuries from sand volleyball. And I was informed that it is absolutely forbidden to interrupt hunting season with a mandatory event in the fall. So… winter wedding it is! While we surely considered doing our wedding on a frozen lake and snowmobiling everybody out to the ceremony (which would've been amazing and hilarious), there were just too many variables. Instead, we're going to throw the most memorable, elegant formal event that January has seen! We do hope you are able to join us.

In June 2020, during a summer of newfound freedom after isolation, Katie and Dusty connected on Bumble. Standing 6’1” and 6’6”, we definitely caught each other’s eye! It just so happened that Katie was at the bottom of his age range (24) and Dusty was at the top of her age range (32). Neither of us were looking for anything serious, but he was cute and goofy and Katie wanted to at least meet this guy! Dusty asked Katie on a regular date to a restaurant, but that was a bit too boring for her taste. Our first date was under the 169 bridge by the Minnesota River… a nice foreshadow for all of the times Dusty will have to worry about Katie’s reckless optimism for meeting strangers in potentially dangerous settings based on “good vibes, it’ll be fine”. (It always is!) Katie ruined Dusty’s plans of not having any plans. The pandemic ruined Katie’s plans of leaving the country every winter (for yoga retreats in Bali) and never settling into a relationship… As Dusty says, “they had to shut down the whole country for us to be together”. And we couldn’t be more thankful for the adventures that lied ahead. While the pandemic put a hold on many plans, it brought us closer, leading to creative dates filled with grilling and exploration. Our first year together saw us traveling to northern Minnesota, Florida, Washington, and Mexico, where we accidentally fell in love despite our initial desire to keep things light. We knew this was the real deal and too good to lose. In September of 2021, Dusty had a severe neck injury from work. He fell through the bed of a truck that he was inspecting – all our momentous plans came to an urgent halt. The next year and a half consisted of countless Workers' Comp debacles and two spine fusion surgeries. While prioritizing Dusty's health, we entered into a new chapter of enjoying more simple pleasures together. Some of our favorite quiet evenings were of Katie doing Macrame crafts and Dusty reloading Ammo together in the living room. After Dusty's last surgery on March 10th, 2023, Katie needed some extra positivity. She began itching for a new, chaotic hobby. So chickens entered the picture! The pursuit of our mini-homestead began! It has been a sweet process of turning the little old house in Shakopee, that Dusty purchased in 2017, into a home. Creating the foundation that our future Hanson family will be built upon. On December 17th, 2023, Dusty pulled off a 110% COMPLETE SURPRISE proposal at the location of our very first date (the Minnesota River Valley trail under the 169 bridge). It was the most amazing, thoughtful, tear-filled moment that will be treasured in our hearts forever. Dusty has handled his injury recovery with grace and determination. He is now working in an entirely new field, Xylem Water Solutions & Water Technology in Shakopee, and feels optimistic for the trajectory of this new career! With his extensive downtime, Dusty’s passion for firearms has soared. He has also fully embraced his new role as a chicken dad. Katie is on her third year doing event coordinating and parent education for a foster care and adoption agency, Children’s Home and Lutheran Social Services in St. Paul. Katie (continues to keep busy with too many things on her plate… but most notably) is also a travel agent with Humble Travel, based out of Cedar Falls, Iowa. This is Katie’s 9th year as a tactile sign language aid for a DeafBlind client turned bff! She also dabbles in volleyball, candle-making, dating coaching, dog breeding, and a million other random hobbies/side-gigs. We could not be more appreciative for the love and support of our friends and family over the last 4+ years. Thank you for cheering us on and celebrating us as the middle-child match made in Heaven. Please continue to push us to lean on the Lord and strengthen each other with all of the next seasons that life is to bring!