We're finally getting married!

Their friendship began during the Junior High Rivers Trip, when Noah offered Nicole some of his elk jerky—because really, who can say no to free jerky? It wasn’t long before they became inseparable. Soon after, Noah invited Nicole to join his family on a trip to Six Flags for Fright Fest. Whether it was the spine-chilling ghouls, the adrenaline-filled rides, or the bitter cold, something changed that night—they grew closer than ever. For the first time, Nicole felt the same butterflies that Noah had been carrying in his heart since the beginning of their friendship. Just a few weeks later, on November 3rd, 2012, they officially became a couple.

All through high school—and even now—they were inseparable. When they graduated in 2016, it was time to begin the next chapter: college. Noah headed off to UW–Green Bay, while Nicole stayed closer to home to attend UW–Marathon County. The distance tested them, but weekend visits and constant support kept their bond strong. After just one semester, Noah made the decision to transfer back home and attend school alongside Nicole. Once they completed their two years at Marathon County, they took the next step together: moving into their first apartment in Stevens Point to finish their degrees. Noah pursued his passion and graduated with a major in History, while Nicole followed her passion for teaching with a major in Elementary Education.

One frigid December evening, Noah brought Nicole to an observation balcony on Rib Mountain. She had just finished a shift at Vino Latte, and since her beloved Jetta had recently been totaled (RIP), Noah was her ride home. Their friends, Bailey and Zach, were back from college and supposedly wanted to check out Rib while they were in town—or at least, that’s what Nicole was told. In truth, Noah just needed a reason to get her up there. Nicole wasn’t thrilled—but Noah insisted. As they reached the top and looked out over the glowing city lights below, the mood shifted. Standing close together in the silence of the winter night, Noah turned to her and proposed. In that perfect moment, surrounded by love and shimmering lights, the cold didn’t matter anymore.

They were overjoyed to be engaged—a symbol of the deep commitment they shared. But they both agreed: school came first. Wedding planning would have to wait. Then, just as they were approaching graduation, the world changed—COVID hit, and everything was put on pause. In the years that followed, they slipped comfortably into the life they were building together. They moved back to Wausau, where Nicole began her first year of teaching and Noah found his calling working in Special Education. Life got busy, fast—but full of purpose and love. And now, after more than a decade of growing, laughing, and facing life side by side, they’re finally ready to tie the knot!