We're getting married!

Blake and I originally met on a dating app shortly before Christmas. We quickly discovered we were both huge Iowa Hawkeye fans and that we were both going to be in Tampa for the Outback Bowl. On the second to last day of the trip, we were able to finally meet each other in person. Blake didn't judge me for my terrible sand volleyball skills and I didn't mind walking a couple of miles down the beach to meet the cute boy with the adorable dog from Hinge. As life happened over the next couple of months, a second date was hard to arrange. Finally, the day after St. Patrick's Day in March 2019, we made plans - and Blake falls asleep! Luckily he woke up from his hungover nap just in time to convince me to let the dogs finally meet. From there the rest is history! Since the beginning of our story, Nicole graduated from veterinary school, we spent a year doing long-distance with Blake in Iowa and Nicole in Oklahoma, and we moved to Houston together for a year. We're so excited to be closer to friends and family in Green Bay and can't wait to see what our crazy journey together brings after we say "I do"!

Blake knew months before the proposal that he wanted to ask, but in true Blake Heikes fashion, it had to be big. After picking up the engagement ring the day before we moved to Texas and hiding in a shoebox for months, Blake was finally able to plan the perfect proposal while stuck at home with Covid. We traveled to Fredericksburg for a fall weekend in Texas wine country. Blake planned it all - a gorgeous Airbnb, a gorgeous dinner and multiple wineries to tour. At the first wine tour, we showed up early and waited along the highway for the gates to open. Blake was cool as a cucumber and hiding his nerves extremely well as I had no idea what was about to come. Once we parked, Blake suggested we take a walk around the property instead of waiting in the long line to get in. We walked a short way to the front of a gorgeous country house turned country store and stopped underneath the awning. While I just thought Blake was being romantic, it quickly turned into the best moment of my life. Blake got down on one knee, forgot his whole speech and quickly got out, "I love you will you marry me?" which was then followed by about 4-5 excited "no, no way, no's" before the easiest yes I've ever said came sputtering out of my mouth. And to top it off, he even had a secret photographer there to catch the entire thing! It was the most perfect proposal I could have ever asked for.