It was Thanksgiving, of all days, when we matched on Bumble. From the very beginning, we connected over our shared love for our pets and our similar hopes for the future. Our first date was at Volstead’s Speakeasy in Eagan, and not long after, we were seeing each other several times a week, with Bill stopping by Natalie’s apartment after work whenever he could. Despite opposite work schedules, our connection only grew stronger. We moved in together in December 2023 and quickly became a full household with Natalie’s two cats, Olive and Millie, and Bill’s dog, Jules. Our love deepened through adventures and laughter, but also through grief, loss, and unwavering support. Over the past year, we lost two beloved pets, faced new health diagnoses, and endured a government shutdown that affected Bill’s job. Each challenge showed us just how strong we are together. Our shared love of puzzles led us to our next chapter—engagement. In November 2024, Bill designed a custom puzzle for Natalie and asked her to marry him. We knew early on that we were meant to spend our lives together, and we are beyond excited to continue celebrating our love and life with everyone at our wedding!