Andy and Erica met on the dating app Bumble. Erica was new to the area and Andy had just returned home from the Navy. For those unfamiliar with the app, you swipe right if you think the person would be a good match and you swipe left if you don't. Both parties have to swipe right in order to "match". On this particular app the girl has to initiate the conversation once matched. Lucky for Andy, he had 8 week old puppy pictures of his new golden retriever, Sven - and Erica is a sucker for puppies. The conversation started with Erica asking about Sven, as well as one of Andy's photos of him on potato chip rock in CA. A week or two later (June 16th, 2017) they decided to meet in person at music in the park at Lake Harriet. Unfortunately, the weather had alternative plans that day and they rain checked for a dinner date at the Freehouse in the North Loop. Conversation was easy and before they knew it 3 hours went by. Date 2 included a paddle boat trip around Lake Calhoun, ice cream and Erica being introduced to Sven. I guess you could say the rest is history!

Erica and Andy were 2 days into their 10 day Iceland adventure - camping around ring road. On day 2 they planned to stay in Vik, Iceland which is located on the coast of Iceland. Inclement weather - high winds and rain - blew in that night, and instead of sticking it out in their tent, they slept in their car that night. Despite being tired from an uncomfortable night of sleep, Andy was adamant that they visit the black sand beach in Vik bright and early that morning (Sept. 24th) . There was still a haze over the ocean from the rain overnight, but Andy insisted that Erica take a panoramic picture of beach, as she was coming to the end of the photo she saw Andy out of the corner of her eye, get down on one knee with a ring in hand and she proceeded to ask Andy "what are you doing?". He proceeded to ask Erica if she would marry him - noting that he thought it was appropriate to ask her if she wanted to become Vik, since they were in Vik ;) Erica of course said "yes" and here we are, planning a wedding!