We were set up on a blind date through a mutual mother/daughter friend duo (thank you, Julie and Maggie Craven!) and after a lot of convincing, we agreed to exchange phone numbers. Our first date was at Mill Valley Kitchen in St. Louis Park over MLK weekend, 2015. James almost hit Kate’s car leaving the parking lot but otherwise the date went well and the rest is history!

We had just started the house hunt when we found THE ONE. The sellers negotiated a 30-day close, which incidentally lined up with when James was originally planning to propose in front of friends and family at the Thorson cabin. When the close date lined up with the cabin weekend, James arranged for a carpool and “spontaneous” photo session with friends Dan and Kayla Wesser. James got down on one knee on moving day after suggesting to take a picture in front of our first house together and then surprised Kate with an engagement party at the cabin.

Thank you to everyone reading this message. You all mean so much to us both and we cannot imagine our day without you there!