We're Getting Married!

Conner and I met when we were 18, the summer of our senior year of high school. I had a ticket to see Kanye West at Summerfest and didn't really feel like going, but my mom convinced me to go so I wouldn't miss out. For those who might not know, Summerfest is one of the largest music festivals in the country and one of the most important life events for a high schooler in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I met up with a few of my friends before the concert who happened to be with Conner and a few of his friends. Conner and I had mutual friends, but never really hung out together before meeting at the concert. Everyone had lawn seat tickets, which were located in the very last section of the concert venue. I had splurged on a bleacher seat ticket with the tips I had made from working at the golf course, but I didn't want to leave my friends who were all sitting in the lawn section. Conner told me he would sneak down to the bleacher seats with me so I wouldn't have to sit alone. I agreed and he ended up leading me to the 10th row. We had to sneak past a few security guards, but it was all worth it so we could get a better view of Kanye. We spent that whole concert talking, dancing, laughing and getting to know each other. What I had thought would just be "summer fling" led to a eight and a half year relationship, many incredible memories and the greatest love I have ever know. We are so excited for this next chapter and adventure together. Here's to our Chapter Two: The Hansen's! Conner saved his concert ticket even after all these years! Thank you, Kanye!

Conner and I were in a long distance relationship for most of our years together. We used to switch off visiting each other every month. From Columbia, MO, Milwaukee, WI to Minneapolis, MN, we made the most of every visit. I always loved visiting Conner in Minneapolis. He always would take me to the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis. We would walk along the bridge and talk about our future plans, our hopes, our goals, and our dream that one day we would both be in the same city. A few years after I graduated college, I decided to make the move to Minneapolis so I could be with Conner. There is this great little Farmer's Market right near the Stone Arch Bridge that Conner and I love to go to on Saturday mornings. On October 27th, 2018, Conner told me that we were going to meet his friend and his girlfriend at the Farmer's Market. I didn't think anything out of the ordinary. Once we got there, Conner said his friends were waiting for us at the Stone Arch Bridge. He took me underneath the bridge and said that they were probably looking at the river for fish (Conner and his friend have a few fishing spots under the bridge, so I also didn't think anything of it). We walked around and I kept telling him that I didn't see them. Conner just smiled, took my hand and led me around the corner to a blanket with two champagne glasses and a book that had a picture of us on it that said "The Stone Arch Bridge: A Brief History." Conner starting paging through the book, which had all these different pictures of us from over the years at the bridge. He flipped to the last page, which said "Chapter Two: The Hansen's?" and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Meanwhile, his friend was above us taking photos and captured the entire moment! I just looked at Conner in shock and kept saying "Wait, what? I thought we were going to the Farmer's Market." That day, we drove to Viroqua, WI to celebrate at one of our favorite restaurants, The Driftless Cafe.