To put it simply, our story started at summer camp.

While working for Catholic Heart Work camp, we entered into a summer of faith and fun, nothing more. Or so we thought. When first getting to training in Orlando, we noticed each other immediately. Knowing we would have to be traveling together for the next 8 weeks, we both decided to ignore any feelings we had towards one another.

We were both given the position of being the camp's "Carpenter Commandos." This meant going on stage every night together to put on the evening program. Staff and management continually commented on the "chemistry" between the "Carpenter Commandos." As camp progressed, we began to develop a great friendship. Towards the end of camp, Abby had planned to continue to ignore the feelings she had towards Derek but her coworker did not agree. Meg, another member of the team, approached Derek about his feelings towards Abby. This led Derek to ask Abby out even after she told him it wasn't a great idea.

So began our long distance relationship. With Abby going to school in North Dakota, and Derek living in Ohio, the start of our relationship consisted of MANY plane tickets, phone calls, and Facetimes.

We did not get a chance to be in person again until the next summer, when we were placed on the same mission team again! We began another fun summer of serving God and having a blast traveling the country together!

Following the summer, Abby moved back home to Wisconsin and Derek began graduate school in Ohio. After another year of plane tickets, phone calls, and Facetimes, Abby decided it was time to move to Ohio!

A few weeks before the move, Derek flew to Wisconsin and proposed to Abby on the lookout tower at Laphem Peak, where they had gone on their first date almost two years before.

Registry

Here is our Amazon Registry link! https://www.amazon.com/wedding/abigail-dorn-derek-blue--august-2024/registry/38S4ASICXVUOW