We’re getting married!

Madison came across Riley’s Hinge profile and liked what she saw. Specifically a picture of what she assumed was Riley and his dad, at a football game. Madison made the move and sent Riley a message asking if indeed the guy in the picture was his dad. Riley responded saying that it was and Madison asked if she could meet him. Riley told her, “maybe one day” and asked to meet for drinks that Friday. These three messages spanned over almost a week because Madison was horrible at responding. She finally responded, hoping Riley was still interested after not hearing from her for a week where Riley gave his number to Madison and told her that he hoped she was a better texter. Madison and Riley had their first date that Friday night, a double date at Crooked Can. Two days later, they had their first official, solo date where Riley cooked Madison dinner at his place. This was just the beginning of what would soon become forever!

If you ask our family, they’ll tell you that we put the cart before the horse and made a lot of wedding decisions before the proposal but here’s the story… Back track to February when Madison and Riley were visiting Riley’s grandmother, Jetty in the nursing home. A conversation came up and Riley mentioned how cool it would be to get married on 2/22 (222 being a special sign for the Nagel’s ever since Riley’s grandfather, Clem passed away in 2000). Riley happened to look it up on the calendar where he found that the following year, 2/22 fell on a Saturday. This is where the engagement and wedding talk began. Fast forward to a weekend in April, shortly after Jetty passed away where Riley went to the lake and returned home with her ring. Madison came over to stay that Sunday night, was working on the computer at the kitchen counter and Riley put the ring on the counter, told her not to freak out (she freaked out) and he said that was the diamond he was going to have reset for an engagement ring. Having no sense of urgency, Riley did nothing with the ring for over a month (it sat on Madison’s bedside table). Subtle hints were dropped by all and finally, Madison’s best friend and Maid of Honor, Baylee, texted Riley and asked if he wanted her to go look at rings with him. After two trips to the jewelry store, Riley and Baylee picked out the most perfect band for Jetty’s diamond to be reset in. While waiting for the ring to be crafted, Baylee and Riley got to planning the most perfect proposal. Baylee knew Madison wanted an intimate proposal, just the two of them so her and Riley made that dream come to life in an at home proposal. The Monday before the proposal, Riley told Madison he was making dinner reservations for date night that Thursday. Most of you might think that this is where Madison knew what was to come but random, dinner date nights were not out of the ordinary. On proposal day, Madison had clinical for nursing school in Canton all day and Riley went to work. This was the perfect time for Baylee to decorate the house for the big moment. On her way home, Madison got stuck in traffic and was late getting home, the dress she wanted to wear didn’t fit, and she was rushing to get to Riley’s in time to make their reservation. Little did she know that she was walking into her engagement. She opened the front door where Riley was down on one knee, asking her to marry him. Madison didn’t even allow Riley to finish asking her before she said yes and gave him a kiss (then told him she hated him for lying to her). They went to dinner after where Madison was yet again, surprised to see their close family there to celebrate!