Emily and I first met in Rochester, MN in March of 2020. Our first date was just 2 weeks before Covid-19 came into the picture and the lockdowns began. For some reason, even after talking her ear off about Canada Goose hunting and woodworking, Emily wanted to go out with me again! We went on two more dates before restaurants closed down and quarantine began. Covid led to quite the unique first few months of dating. Instead of going out to eat, socializing, and enjoying live music, we found ourselves creating our own fun by cooking together, watching Netflix, and lots of Zoom happy hour calls with friends. (If anyone had any question of whether I was all-in at this point all they had to do was hear how I participated in Emily’s “cat” themed zoom birthday party.) During this time of isolation and uncertainty we found comfort in one another. Although it was a tough time, it gave us a chance to connect and get to know each other without the distractions of the outside world. In the fall of 2020, Emily and I went to Arizona to visit my sister, her wife, and newborn nephew Westin. We were able to spend the day in Sedona, AZ…a place like no other that Emily instantly fell in love with and we both felt was special. This could have been because of the alleged spiritual “vortexes” or the fact that we both forgot to grab the water before leaving for our hike in the desert… In 2021, Emily moved in with me and we began to combine our lives. Emily was busy with grad school while I was busy remodeling the house, but things just felt so easy together. (Well, other than my dog Jack terrorizing Emily’s cats even to this day). In living together, I have found Emily to be the kindest, most patient, and hard-working person I have ever known. Fast forward to late 2022, when unbeknownst to Emily I bought tickets to fly to Sedona again, but this time with an agenda. I had a plan to propose and was hoping she was clueless. My plan was to propose on the Devils Bridge hike where I thought we could share in this special moment between just the two of us…little did I know it was an “Instagram hotspot.” As we approached the bridge there was a line of people to take photos, about 50 strong. As the line got shorter my hands got sweatier. I asked the guy in line next to us to take a good photo and whispered my plan when Emily had turned to walk onto the bridge. Then, as I walked out, I heard the game of telephone going all the way down the 50+ person line. Whispers and gasps filled the air as I was trying to get people to pipe down. Looking back now, I have no idea how it wasn’t obvious. I had a whole speech planned, but when we walked out on the bridge all I could mutter was “I love you so much, will you marry me?” and to my relief she said “Yes!” If you’ve made it this far…thanks for reading. Emily and I are both so excited to have you join us for our big day and can’t wait to become Mr. & Mrs. Roeder!