Our lives crossed paths multiple times without us knowing. Our senior year the GET boys basketball team played Somerset in the Sectional final. I was there supporting my future roommate Dan Sheridan, she was there supporting GET. She didn’t even say hi. Somerset lost and GET moved on to State. Queue the second time our paths cross as the state tournament was a regular event for my family. Again, didn’t say hi, okay, maybe she had a boyfriend and didn’t know I existed. Now both super seniors at Winona and La Crosse figuring out the next step in life. In a precovid era, when you could meet people at bars or on campus we were on Tinder. I’m sure most are familiar with the app, a profile with photos, a description, and what you're looking for. From there you swipe right (you like the person) or swipe left (you don’t like the person). If both people swipe right you are matched and can start messaging. We swiped right, matched on 07/12/2016, and Kyla made the first move by messaging me. The 1st day goes by and no response. 8 more days, still no response. Finally on the 10th day, I respond, luckily she responded. After messaging for a while, we went on our first date. I planned a hike to Rim of the City, my favorite bluff. A humid Wisconsin summer day, but it was a great hike that had us talking and taking in the amazing sights of La Crosse. After the hike I took her to my favorite place to eat, The Mint Cafe (now closed). After eating, Kyla had some time to pass which meant I wasn’t bombing the date! With warm weather, getting ice cream at the Pearl was the next logical step. We enjoyed our ice cream by the river and drove back to my apartment. Kyla was hoping to close the date with the perfect kiss, but I didn't take the hint, so she was left with a hug. Fortunately, the date was enough of a success she agreed to see me again. We went on a few more dates, had dinner with her family, and met her cousins at the Boat house. We started dating and the rest is history.

It was Saturday August 15th, a beautifully clear and sunny day just outside of Twin Lakes, Colorado. We were on a camping trip with our friends Sami and Harper. We were packing up the vehicles that morning to drive into town and spend the day on the Lakes just day drinking and kayaking around. The lakes are nestled between Mount Elbert and Quail Mountain and provide stunning 360 views and easy access to a variety of trails. It has become one of our favorite places to camp during the summers for this very reason! I knew there was no better time to pop the question than right when we arrived at the beach before more people would show up. I got Sami to say, "hey lets take some photos quick before we all get sunburnt, sweaty, and a little tipsy?" which gave me the perfect opportunity! Sami took a few photos then asked Kyla to see if she liked them which is when I got down on one knee. When she turned back around I was down with the mountains and lake behind me, I somehow managed to ask, "will you marry me?" through a quivering voice and some welling tears. SHE SAID YES!!! Honestly with all the excitement it was hard to tell who seemed happier; Kyla or Ned who was running in and out of the lake as we were taking photos. Twin Lakes will always hold a special place in our hearts and it will forever be a tradition of ours to travel back and celebrate the amazing memory we made.