We're getting married!

Katla and Payton first met in a calculus lecture, in their first semester at UW-Madison. For months, their only words exchanged were in small breakouts, where Katla would ask questions, pretending she didn’t know how to solve the problem, and Payton would make something up, pretending he did. Where their story really begins is later that fall, in the shared laundry room of their dorm complex. Unexpectedly running into each other, they sat down to work together on some math homework while waiting for their laundry. They spent the next hour laughing and holding conversation, and it was obvious there was some spark between them. When the spring semester rolled around, they started to see each other more often. While they had their own circles of friends, the circles would overlap at times, at outings or casually hanging out. Eventually numbers were exchanged, and a week later they went on their first date. Katla must have had some premonition about Payton, suggesting ice cream on the first date. Orange Chocolate Chip was the flavor. The evening was spent smiling until their faces were sore and laughing until their stomachs hurt, and the couple knew they had stumbled upon a special connection. A couple weeks later, after a few more formal dates, the world suddenly shut down with a whole lot of uncertainty. What a good time to enter a new relationship! It would be months before they saw each other again, and doing so required Payton to pack an overnight bag, drive 3 hours to a village he’d never heard of and most importantly, meet Katla’s family. Thankfully the weekend went well and they returned to school that fall with some semblance of a covid-adjusted normal relationship. To get here today, the windy path has continued, with Payton’s work landing him in Door County and Katla’s studies in Memphis. That early bout of cross-state distance laid the foundation for a three year commitment to cross-country distance. They’ve called 12 different places home over this time, and travelled more miles in between than anyone ever should. Last August, in Katla’s grandparents’ prairie, Payton initiated his greatest act yet. Having only limited windows of time with Katla, months of planning selected the perfect date. Wouldn’t you know it, but the weather forecast wouldn’t cooperate. After a painstakingly slow morning, and a quick ride around the prairie with grandma Elaine cutting thistles, Payton finally got Katla out to walk. Amongst the wildflowers, he dropped down on one knee and asked her to marry him. She said yes just moments before the rain started to fall upon them. ~~~~~~~~~~~ After 6 years together, we are beyond excited to begin the next chapter of our lives together. Can’t wait to celebrate with all of you in April!