We're Getting Married!!

It was a Husker football game day in Lincoln and I was third wheeling it with my friend Kelli and her husband. We were at the infamous Barry’s Bar to watch the game and Kelli saw a guy that she thought I should go meet. I said no, but she had other plans....next thing I know she had tugged on TJ’s shirt and ran away, leaving me to awkwardly say hello. An uncomfortable hello lead to a great conversation and TJ asking for my number before we parted ways. The following day TJ texted me saying he meant what he said and he would like to take me out on a date......sure glad Kelli broke the ice! The next Friday we went to Pitch Pizzeria and the rest is history.....here we are 3 years later tying the knot!!

Tim, Madi, TJ, and his friends Alex and Mike were all signed up for the Half Ironman in Madison, WI. The night before heading out, we were packing up for the trip when his dad texted in the family group chat (which I was not a part of) and said we were to pack a nice shirt and a pair of jeans to take a picture for the Burns Christmas Card. TJ read me the text and I made him clarify if this included me, which it did…eek! We arrived in Madison, registered the triathletes, and settled into the rental house on the lake. Shortly after Madi said Tim wants to take the photo at sunset by the race starting point before dinner. I quickly get ready for what might be my first Burns family Christmas card debut…. TJ and I arrived at the designated meeting spot but there were no other Burns in site. I have TJ call his family to make sure we were in the right area which we were. He then looked out at the lake and started talking about how nervous he was for the race and I assured him he was ready…then he began to jibber jabber about us and our relationship so I tried to hug him to calm the nerves and I could feel him shaking. Next thing I know he said "I just want to make it official” and got down on one knee. In the blur of things I remember asking “what are you doing!?” He then asked “I wanted to know if you’ll marry me??” The tears began flowing for both of us and I quickly hugged and kissed him. He then pointed up the hill behind a few trees where the Behrendt’s came out from hiding where they had photographed this special moment for us. We snapped a few extra photos and headed back to the house where TJ surprised me yet again.....my mom, grandparents, and friend Kelli along with other loved ones were there to celebrate our engagement!