Emily worked at a bar, Chuck’s, throughout her time at UW La Crosse. Tom came in with a mutual friend at the start of the spring 2019 semester. After realizing they had a class together, Tom promised he’d sit by Emily the next day. After weeks of continuing to visit Emily at Chuck’s and sitting by each other in class, they eventually shared their first kiss after Tom helped Emily close up the bar one night. Next came spending almost every day together, meeting the parents/families and then their first time saying “I love you” on a camping trip in August 2019. Since then, they’ve enjoyed fishing together, snuggling and watching TV shows, entertaining/cooking for friends and moving into their first place together.

After a discussion in Punta Cana, Tom told Emily to go pick out a ring once they were home from vacation (must have been the rum talking). With the ring picked out a few weeks later, Emily let Tom know of the store and had no expectations of it happening as soon as it did. When Emily went home for a weekend, Tom went and bought the ring she had picked out. Once he got the call that it was ready, he picked it up that day. Wasting no time on that random Wednesday (March 20th, 2024), Emily opened the door after coming home from work to Tom right there, down on one knee with the ring in hand. It was a huge surprise, intimate and perfect for Tom and Emily.

Tom and Emily are so excited to celebrate their marriage with family, friends and loved ones. A special thank you to those who are traveling far, finding sitters for their kids and those who have helped with all the little things along the way. The couple is looking forward to all the love, dancing, tears and laughter that will be shared on their wedding weekend!