Our story is one of two families aligned. Unlike the Capulets and Montigues, our families worked not to keep us apart, but to bring us together. What began with our Great Grandparents became a childhood with summer nights spent at Sand Hill Lake Bible Camp. On September 24th, 2023, Tragg and Brekt came to the Hansons for a church event. Which quickly turned into regular movie hangouts. From here our perspectives diverge: Madelyn’s Story: I was fiercely intentional in resisting our mothers matchmaking. But found myself falling as soon as he sat next to me on the couch. What started by noticing a sense of calm I had rarely felt, became months of turbulent crushing. One thing led to the next, and he somewhat surprisingly, invited himself on what became an off-the-record double date. So, when he officially asked me out a few days later, it felt like a long time coming. Tragg’s Story: I similarly felt the desire to resist the persistent push from my Mom to fall for Madelyn. But was excited to reunite with the Hansons, after many camp memories and close connections with their family over the years. After a few months of hanging out with the Hansons, Brekt pointed out that Madelyn checked all the boxes I had been looking for. The more I thought about it, the more I started to believe that he, and maybe my Mom, were right. After feeling it out, I felt the hope that maybe, just maybe, Madelyn liked me too. When I did finally ask her out, my relief came, and this journey began, when she firmly replied with “Yep, I’m In.” On January 20th, 2024 we had our first date at The Swedish Institute, and on March 1st we were officially dating. The coming months were filled with exciting dates, and vulnerable conversations. The summer brought us back north for many weekends with our families. On September 3rd, we said “I love you” at the Arboretum. Serendipitously, we both had a love for Morocco, and so in March of 2025, we joined our friends and took our dream trip. Madelyn achieved her long time goal of 30 countries by 30, and Tragg got to revisit his favorite country from his YWAM. On an early morning in the enchanting blue city of Chefchaouen, we got engaged! It was peaceful, intimate, and surreal.