We matched through a dating app on January 2nd, 2022 (which Megan had read previously on a blog post is the date that yields the most relationships!). We decided to meet up at Park Tavern that weekend and quickly found we had a lot in common- from a love of 2000's pop music to people watching and more, we just clicked! After a few more dates like trying Indian food around St. Louis Park, Gage ice skating around Megan, and non-stop texting while Megan had Covid- we were official! We continued to explore Minneapolis with dates to breweries, Minnehaha falls, Twins & Saints games and meeting each others closest friends and family. We watched tons of movies and listened to lots of music, but when Gage queued up ‘Sparks Fly’ by Taylor Swift- Megan knew this was going to be a good thing.

In June of 2022, Gage brought Megan up to Cragun's with his family. On the beach, under the stars is where Gage first said 'I love you', and it's been a special place ever since. The summer that followed was filled with mini-golf dates, many weddings, and more fun! In August of 2022, Megan was living in St. Paul and walking distance to her favorite place, Minnesota State Fair. Megan has always been a huge fair lover, and has slowly, but surely, converted Gage to enjoy the long days of eating, walking, animal barns, and people watching. Their fair food favorites are: mouth trap cheese curds, fresh corn, big fat bacon-on-a-stick, poncho dogs, mini donut beer and of course, Sweet Marthas! The couple still park and walk from Megan's old Midway house every year (it's free!). We also love to watch any and all Minnesota sports and have been to countless Twins and Saints games, and a few Vikings, Timberwolves, and Wild games, but always cheering them on from our couch, Park Tavern, or whoever is hosting game day!

Our first trip together was to Chicago in 2023. We love Chicago and spent time trying really good deep dish and really bad deep dish. We loved the Sheed Aquarium and wandering the river north neighborhood. We also caught a Cubs game at Wriggly field! The following year we went to Arizona. Megan played Kacey Musgrave's discography non-stop through the desert, but the couple never tired of the tunes. They got to see the Grand Canyon together for the first time- and how grand it was! They also hit the Meteor Crater- which was a highlight for Gage. We loved this trip and ended it with a Diamondbacks game and admiring the saguaro cacti. We also love our trips around the Midwest. From Milwaukee to Duluth- spending time together in a new place is our favorite thing to do. In Spring of 2025, Gage brought Megan down to Florida. The first two nights on Cocoa Beach it stormed, but on April 1st the skies cleared and we decided to go for a beach walk at golden hour. Walking along the sandy shore, a wave came up over Megan's feet and revealed a perfect shell. She leaned down to take it and when she stood back up, Gage was on one knee and asked "Megan Aune, will you marry me?". Megan gave a big "YES!". The newly engaged couple walked along the beach, enjoying the end of golden hour, full of love and giddiness.

Being together is what brings us the most joy. Spending time with our babies, Minnie and Bonnet makes us smile. We love to watch a show, make a meal, start a puzzle and watch Gage finish it, host a party for Megan to plan, and just be together with each other and the people we love. We look forward to our wedding day not just to start our married life, but to have a day with everyone who we have loved, who has loved us, and who will share our love for a lifetime.