This love story started on a spring evening in 2013, Ally was headed over to her best friend’s house like any other Friday night. When she got there, she was told they got invited to a bonfire with people she had never met before – bring on the nerves! What she didn't know was by going to this bonfire, she would meet her future husband. That night also sparked the creation of Mike and Ally’s, still current, friend group and the group they still credit today for bringing them together. The first few years of Michael and Ally knowing each other was simply friendship. They had the best times with all of their friends every weekend, the group was basically inseparable. The older they got, the more they realized they had in common and truly loved being around one another.

Their transition between friendship and relationship happened so unexpectedly but also so naturally. They found themselves being the only ones left chatting around the bonfire, dropping the other off at home after a 14 hr road trip just to pick them up an hour later, to continue being together and having fun with their friends. It was no secret these two were developing something special, and all of their friends were secretly rooting them on to get together. Once they admitted to themselves they were ready to give it a real shot, the rest was history. On July 9th, 2016 Mike and Ally went to the Rose Garden behind the art center where they spent most of the day and Mike asked Ally to be his girlfriend – eeek! They spent the next few years spending as much time together as possible, while doing distance in college. Mike would drive an hour and a half just to pick Ally up, and take her all the way back to his college town for the weekend to spend time together. After they both finished up college at UNI and ISU, they moved in together in Des Moines and bought a house, started their careers as professionals and even share their Lab fur child, Hayes.

July 9th, 2021: This day marked their fifth dating anniversary and they both wanted to make it special. About a week in advance, they had decided they wanted to go on a picnic, like they usually do on their anniversary. The day before, Ally had noticed there was supposed to be severe thunderstorms at the time of their supposed picnic. Ally mentioned it to Mike asking if he’d rather make a dinner reservation instead and she immediately saw the panic in his eyes. Mike was persistent on continuing their original plans to have a picnic, despite the rain. Ally immediately had some kind of hunch Mike was up to something, but she let it play through. The day came and the rain ended up clearing earlier than expected. Mike’s spot he had in mind, was back to the art center at the Rose Garden, where they were the day they started dating. They had a picnic in the beautiful garden and started reminiscing on all the years they’ve been together. While they were finishing up there was still one more thing to do. Each anniversary, the two of them always write letters to each other but Mike had something special planned with his. At the end of Mikes letter, he reached backwards and grabbed the ring box and proposed! Tears filled their eyes as they celebrated this moment, knowing the best is yet to come – together.

July 9th, 2022: The day we can officially become Mr. and Mrs. Madden! We cannot wait to spend such a special day celebrating our love, with all the people we love most. See you on the dance floor!