Let's eat, drink, and be married!

Alex and Emma were together for just under 3 years before getting engaged. Some of their favorite memories include concerts, vacations with both of their families, days at their favorite place, Riverbend Winery, and movie nights on the couch. In the Spring of 2025, they moved in together so Emma could finish her nursing degree and Alex could begin his education and degree as a diesel mechanic. Within just a few short weeks of living together and despite Alex's hesitance, Emma brought home their best boy, Creed, now a 4-year-old australian shepherd. Emma has since graduated and works as a cardiac nurse while Alex will graduate in the Spring of 2027. In the years to come, the couple is most excited to have their own house to accommodate all of their hobbies and ambitions!

We actually met on Tinder! Emma’s profile read, “Looking for a country boy who knows how to treat a girl right.” Alex decided to shoot his shot with, “Well, I’m not a country boy, but I do know how to treat a girl right.” And, as they say, the rest is history. Their very first date was the classic dinner and a movie!

Emma thought she was just heading to Duluth for a girls’ weekend, but Alex had a secret plan up his sleeve. Since he was still sad about losing his beloved cat, Herb, Emma invited him along. On the drive, Alex did the unthinkable—he actually let Emma take a nap—while quietly panicking they might miss the sunset. When they got to Canal Park, Emma assumed it was just time for cute girly photos. But when her friends suddenly grabbed her purse, took Alex’s sunglasses, and shoved them toward the beach, she started to wonder what was really going on. At first, she thought, “This setup can’t be for me…”—until she noticed pictures of her and Alex. That’s when the waterworks (and some swear words) kicked in. Shaking like a leaf, Alex dropped to one knee and asked the big question. Emma’s answer? “Yeah, I guess so!” Alex took it as a win (at least she didn’t say no!), and they spent the rest of the night celebrating with their favorite people. Big thanks to Isabelle and Lydia Rudnitski, Jayden Hermanson, and Madi and David Hettenbach for pulling off the surprise!

FUN FACT: The diamonds on the sides of the ring are from Alex's late grandmother's ring while the two bigger ones were from a pair of Emma's grandmother's earrings. With the help of the jeweler, Alex designed the middle diamond. In Alex's words, "the ring represents my family, your family, and now our family."