Our story started in a pretty modern way—online—but from the very first time we met, it felt anything but ordinary. Our first date was at Dairy Queen in Woodstock after Derek finished his chores. We grabbed ice cream and ended up sitting outside at a picnic table, talking for hours into the evening. Somewhere along the way, Derek snapped the little red plastic spoon while fidgeting with it… and somehow turned his hands blue in the process. We’re pretty sure that’s what sealed the deal. From there, life just flowed naturally. We had milking dates, cow and horse show dates, and of course—more ice cream dates. One of our favorite traditions became our annual August 27 sunset date. We’d take the Jeep, fill it with pillows and blankets, grab nachos to go, and head out to one of the fields with the best view of the sunset. It’s still our favorite night of the year. When it came time to move in together, we knew it wouldn’t just be us—we had our boys to think about too: Garth and Garfield (also known as Cheeto). Garth wasn’t exactly a fan of cats, and Garfield is a spicy orange cat with a big personality. What followed was six months of patience, problem-solving, a few tears, and even the addition of a custom door with a little caged window. But through it all, our determination paid off, and now they’re the best of friends (and proud step-brothers). Since moving in together, we’ve built a life filled with the little things that mean the most—kitchen slow dances, barn dates, cozy at-home drive-in movie nights, and quiet moments where we’re doing nothing at all… but somehow it still feels like everything. Together, we’ve built a field for the horses and brought them home, figured out what to cook for dinner (most nights), and learned how to navigate life side by side. On July 27, 2025, Derek proposed in the wheat field between our house and the farm—the very place that holds so many of our memories. In a full-circle moment, it’s the same field where we’ll stand and commit our lives to each other. From ice cream and blue hands to sunsets, slow dances, and a life built together—we can’t wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of you.