A & T

Thomas and I met at a place called "The Reef", in Duluth. One night, I was there for girls night and karaoke. As the evening wound down, I noticed that the bartender had amazing hair. Due to this amazing hair, I asked my friend if I should say something to him. I asked him what his name was, it was Thomas. After he told me his first name, I made sure to ask him his last name (one too many times because I couldn’t hear him), hoping it would be mine one day. Later that night, I tried to find Thomas on social media and after realizing I couldn't find him, I was disappointed. Just a few hours later I saw a follow request on Instagram from Thomas, soon followed by a message. Those first conversations led me back to The Reef a week later to “meet friends”, though I was definitely going just to see the cute bartender again. That night, I asked Thomas what kind of music he liked and, on a whim, decided to make him a playlist to listen to after his shift. I titled this playlist "Working Late". It was filled with some of my favorite songs. The next morning, I woke up to a message from Thomas with a playlist he made for me titled "Are you free next Sunday?". I immediately ran out of my room to show my roommate. Thomas then planned our first date as a total surprise, and it lasted an effortlessly 16 hours.

I met Abby on December 7, 2024. I was working behind the bar that Saturday night when my eyes were immediately drawn to her. She was sitting with a friend in another bartender’s section, which meant I could only admire her from afar. But when that section started to get slammed, I took the opportunity to step in and help—though if I’m being honest, the real reason was to get closer to the blonde, blue-eyed girl in the red beanie. I served her and her friend and managed a bit of small talk before needing to return to my own section. Then, by the grace of God, she moved into my section, giving me the chance to keep the conversation going. As the night went on, we started joking around. She kept asking me for my name, and when my first name wasn’t enough, she even asked how to spell my last name. Even I—someone usually oblivious—could tell she was planning to look me up on social media. As I closed out her tab at the end of the night, I joked that it might be easier if I just looked her up, since she had such an easy last name to spell. After work, I went home, built up the courage to follow her on Instagram, and went to bed. I slept the whole next day, but when I woke up I knew I needed to send her a message… only ten hours later. From a simple “hey,” our conversation took off. She started coming back to the bar “just to say hi” (though she claimed she was picking up friends). Everything with her felt so natural. One night, she made me a playlist for work, and I knew I had to return the favor—but I also knew that was how I wanted to ask her out. So I made her a playlist titled “are you free next Sunday?” She said yes. Our first date lasted sixteen hours—just nonstop conversation and getting to know each other. And as soon as that date ended, I knew one thing for certain: I wanted to spend my time, and my future, with Abby Lynn.

From the very beginning of our relationship, Abby and I wrote each other love letters. I always labeled mine “Letter #___,” and even from the early days of that tradition, I knew exactly how I wanted to ask her to marry me. From the moment we met, something in me knew she was the one—not love at first sight, but a deep, peaceful certainty. She felt like the person I had been waiting for. Still, I wanted us to grow together as boyfriend and girlfriend before taking that next step. By the time the holidays approached, I knew it was time. October 30, 2025 became the day—everything aligned perfectly. I suggested we drive up the shore to her favorite spot, Stoney Point. It’s a place that has meant so much to Abby throughout her time in Duluth, and it’s also where she once gave me a love letter I’ll never forget. The weather wasn’t ideal for a picnic, so instead we grabbed hot matcha and decided to watch the ships come in. I had convinced her to leave work a little early so we could savor this moment together. We made our way out onto the rocks, just the two of us, watching the water and the ships against the gray fall sky. Then I handed her a letter—just like always. As she read, I watched her eyes, waiting for the moment she reached the final line: “Will you marry me?” The instant her expression changed, I dropped to one knee and said, “Abby Lynn, will you marry me?” Through joyful tears and an excited, breathless voice, she said yes. And just like that, our next chapter began.