Ross and McKenzie first met in August of 2012 on the cross country team at the University of North Dakota. Their friendship solidified in the spring of 2014 when they went on a cross-country road trip to California. Throughout their time at UND and beyond, Ross and McKenzie continued to maintain a friendship independent from the cross country and track teams. Even when Ross moved out to Washington for work and McKenzie was in graduate school, they continued their friendship through phone calls and letters. Fast forward to the late summer of 2019. Ross disclosed to McKenzie that he was considering enlisting in the military. On October 12, 2019, Ross shared with McKenzie that he was accepted into the military. This sudden life change was the push that the two needed in order to realize their feelings and pursue a relationship. It was raining when Ross and McKenzie met at Caribou in Edina on October 13, 2019 (Ross' birthday) to discuss... The two were inseparable from that time on. Running, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and cabin weekends were some of the fun things that you could find Ross and McKenzie doing during their time together. Ross left for the military on February 3, 2020. The plan was for McKenzie to meet Ross in Chicago 8 weeks later. When the pandemic hit, Ross' base(s) closed their gates, so the plan had to be altered to accommodate a long-distance relationship. They finally got to see each other in person on September 11, 2020 -- 7.5 months later. Upon seeing each other for the first time at Spreckles Park in Coronado, California, Ross shared that he loved McKenzie, and McKenzie felt the same way. Since then, Ross and McKenzie's relationship has only deepened. McKenzie had the opportunity to spend the summer of 2021 in Niceville, Florida to be with Ross and they went on many adventures - Anna Maria Island, Texas, and New Orleans are just a few of the adventures they had that summer. On May 27, 2022, Ross surprised McKenzie in Minnesota by showing up at the lunch she was having with two of her sisters. She was shocked to find him there, as they weren't planning on seeing each other for another month. When he asked her to go to the Arboretum in Chaska, McKenzie obviously said yes -- she loves flowers! McKenzie started wondering if something was up... The Arboretum was fun and flower-filled. But nothing happened there! On the way home, Ross asked McKenzie if there was anywhere else she wanted to go, and she said she didn't think so. When Ross asked "What about Arneson Acres?," McKenzie said "Oh yes definitely! I've been wanting to take you there!" (McKenzie spent several summers gardening in these formal garden beds). McKenzie spent many minutes showing Ross around the garden when suddenly they came upon the peony beds (McKenzie's favorite flower). It was here that Ross got down on one knee, took out a ring, and shared that he wanted to spend forever together. McKenzie was elated. On the way home, McKenzie suggested that during the weekend, there be a party to celebrate the engagement between both Ross' and McKenzie's families. Ross was, of course, already a step ahead... Back at the Lee house, Ross' parents and McKenzie's family were waiting to celebrate the engagement with a beautiful garden party in the backyard! It was a happy evening filled with champagne, yummy food, and flowers.