On a cold February night, Tara and Spence met for their first date at the Bier Baron Tavern, where they talked for hours over their favorite meal: beer and french fries. That not being enough time for either of them, they continued the evening playing skeeball (Tara won) and laughing at open mic comedy until 2 in the morning (RIP Big Hunt). They ended the night with their first kiss in a dive bar entryway, which was promptly interrupted by the bouncer telling them to get out of the way. Not a bad start. Even though Tara was fully intending to play it cool, they decided to meet up again the very next night for their second date to watch an Avett Brothers documentary. By the end of the week, they had gone to their first concert together and accidentally ended up at a drag show afterward. All signs were pointing to the start of something great. Soon after, they started doing everything together: they jammed their calendars full of as many concerts as they could fit, planned ski trips and rock climbing excursions, cooked elaborate meal after elaborate meal, and became even more obsessed with their cats. And, in the midst of all that fun, they fell in love.

On New Year’s Eve 2019, over a plate of duck confit (of course), Tara and Spence agreed that by the next New Year’s Eve, they would be engaged. In late August 2020, Spence got an email saying the ring he’d ordered months ago had finally shipped. He couldn’t wait to surprise Tara with the ring and ask her to marry him, but there was one problem: he’d just had hip surgery the day prior and keeping things secret would be quite the challenge. Thankfully, when the ring arrived a few days later, he was feeling good enough to “take a walk to the car.” Crutch in hand, he maneuvered downstairs, grabbed the box, and made his way outside to the car where he unwrapped the package, ditched the shipping materials, and pocketed the ring. He made it back inside and stashed the ring, and Tara remained completely oblivious. After a few weeks of physical therapy (where he actually practiced getting down on a knee), it was finally time. Spence went out and picked up dinner from one of their favorite restaurants. When he got home, Tara, still oblivious, was at a critical moment in Breath of the Wild and was in no rush to eat. Antsy and excited, Spence finally got Tara to the kitchen to fix a plate but couldn’t contain himself any longer. As she was scooping out some Chinese broccoli, Spence got down on one knee right there in the kitchen and asked her to marry him. And she said yes!

Tara and Spence cannot wait to share their love and celebrate their wedding with you. They are honored to have Spence’s brother, Jordan, leading the ceremony. Standing with Tara and Spence as they marry each other will be Kristin as the Maid of Honor, Nick as the Best Man, Shannon, Gillian, Sarah, Mary-Thomas, and Lucy as bridesmaids, Mark and Mike as groomsmen, Charlotte and Lily as flower girls, and Ace as the ring-bearer.