Place: Windy Acres, Hudson, WI Date: St. Patty’s Day 2012 So there I was, sitting at the picnic table at Windy Acres enjoying $16 worth of Arby’s, slapping anyone who tried to steal a bite. Brandon walked by and I didn’t even look at him for a second. Fast forward a few hours and several Busch latte’s later at the housewarming party my friends were having, Brandon and I finally got to talking. He was following me around like a lost puppy, but I remember thinking to myself “this one’s pretty funny”. It was then when my heart said ‘you like this guy’ but my brain said ‘no. you are a strong independent woman that doesn’t need a man”… or something like that. Long story short, I was in denial. A couple weeks later I was sitting down with my dad enjoying a lavish lunch at the Culver’s in Green Bay when I decided to share with him there was a boy I had grown to like. I remember starting the conversation off by describing Brandon to my dad saying “he’s kind of chubby with a slight lisp, but you guys would love him! He’s funny and kind and I think I might want to keep him”. Then on April 17, 2012 Brandon took my most expensive lipstick and wrote on his bathroom mirror asking if I would be his girlfriend… Of course…. I said yes.

Place: Three Lakes, Boardman, WI Date: December 21, 2017 Brandon and I were enjoying a typical Wisconsin day hunting pheasant while back visiting for Christmas. We spent the morning hiking through tall grass and snow with the crisp Wisconsin winter at our faces watching the dogs work. Unfortunately, no birds were shot, but any day of hunting is still a good day. Turbo and Livy (Brandon’s dad’s dogs) were hard at work for us the entire morning and afternoon until Turbo opted to go lame. Brandon had to walk out to the middle of a frozen pond and carry Turbo back to the truck in his arms. We put Turbo on the tailgate of the truck and inspected him for injury’s and found the bleeding to only be minor and nothing to cause concern. After that moment of relief, Brandon stood behind me and I watched him reach into the pocket of his Filson hunting vest and pull out a ring box. He got down on one knee and asked if I would be his hunting partner forever… as if he even had to ask. Of course… I said yes.