Maria and Colton first met at lunch during their sophomore year of high school. Maria had another boyfriend at the time but Colton knew instantly that Maria was special. It turns out she was pretty popular amongst their friend group, so Colton was stuck being her "third best friend" for the time being. Along comes summer and a mutual friend invited them to a pool party and suggested they go pick up Colton. So they went to the Dobratz household at 3pm and woke Colton up for the day (if you know Colton this is no surprise). They got to know each other better that day and several days later Colton had a bonfire at his house where they had their first kiss (and still debate over who initiated). After passing her step-dad Michael's intimidation tactics, Colton asked Maria to be his girlfriend on October 16th, 2012 (of course she had been asking him to ask for months....). Following their high school graduation they went to college, Maria to the University of Minnesota and Colton to St. Cloud State. After four LONG years of driving back and forth to visit each other on the weekends they bought a house in Robbinsdale, MN that they share with their German Shepherd Bella. Colton asked Maria to marry him while hiking at one of their favorite places, Taylor's Falls in July of 2020 (again, after years of Maria dropping hints.... we know how impatient she can be). They are both very excited to enter this next chapter of their lives together and can't wait to celebrate with everyone!