Our story begins like most other modern day love stories: through a dating app. The match was made in early February 2023 and I wasted no time asking Ali on a date. 2/8/2023 5:15pm reservation at Lion's Share in downtown San Diego. Ali had plans that night with her girlfriends so the date had a strict end time of 6:30. The conversation was going very well but I saw the time ticking away until Ali decided to extend the date and order another round of drinks. This was music to my ears and the reassurance I needed that I wasn’t the only one enjoying the evening. That evening ended with her going to hang out with her friends and give them details of the date while I jumped in my car and immediately called my sister to tell her about the amazing person I just met. Over the next couple of weeks we continued talking everyday and going on several more dates before the first big test of our relationship happened…meeting my sister. Since Ali’s family all lives in Wisconsin and my mom lives in South Carolina, Cassie was the first test. Since we are all celebrating our marriage on 9/6/2025, I am going to spoil the story and let you know that we passed all of the first encounters with each other's families. A beautiful friendship was made between my sister and Ali while sharing a bottle of wine. We made a delicious meal at a cooking class as my mom got to meet and know Ali. And finally, I was able to share lots of laughs and quality time with the Kolbs in my first trip back to Wisconsin. Over the next year and a half we moved in together, traveled near and far (I survived my first international trip with Ali), and became aunt and uncle to a fantastic nephew with another on the way! In August of this year, while golfing back in Wisconsin, I asked for Dan’s blessing in proposing to his only daughter. After a couple tears and lots of hugs I had his blessing along with the rest of the Kolb family. A month later I had the ring and was ready to propose in San Diego but due to the passing of Ali’s grandpa, we were back in Wisconsin. I brought the ring with me to show the family without the full intention of proposing that week. However, after such a beautiful time celebrating Ali's grandpa’s life and the family he & their grandma created, I worked with Liz to plan the big surprise. 10/4/2024 in Mitchell Park I worked up the courage to ask for Ali’s hand in marriage and to spend the rest of our lives together. She emphatically said yes and the celebrations began! We were greeted with champagne and more hugs and tears by her parents, siblings, and grandma. A week later I had one more surprise in store for Ali when we arrived back to our house with 40 of our closest friends and family waiting for us. Without such great friends and family on both sides none of this would have been possible. Our love & dedication to our people were one of the things that drew us together and will keep us together forever. So we look forward to continuing the celebration of us and all of you in Sturgeon Bay!