Ross and Alayna’s love story begins online on a dating app called Upward. They started to message each other in late August 2021. After about a month of messaging back and forth, Ross asked Alayna out for their first date. Unfortunately for Ross, this first date would contain three first date fails. They decided to meet in a small town to explore a local chocolate shop. According to Ross, this was his first fail. Unbeknownst to him, the chocolate shop was closed. Ross was very embarrassed by this fact and suggested that he and Alayna walk around town instead. They enjoyed a walk around the lake and then decided to get ice cream. Alayna got chocolate peanut butter and Ross, for some reason, decided it was a good idea to order the chili taco ice cream. This was fail number two. Ross’s third fail was that he took Alayna to a seafood restaurant which served primarily fish. For anyone who knows Alayna well, you’ll know she HATES fish. First date fail number three. It turned out okay because Alayna was able to order the one chicken item on the bottom of the menu. Thankfully for Ross, Alayna enjoyed his company and thought their first date was a success. She thought they enjoyed many many pleasant conversations. For those reading this, ask Alayna what the one dinner conversation she remembers was if you want a good laugh.

Over the time of a year and a half, Ross and Alayna continued to grow in their relationship. They went on many adventures together including dates to bus races at the Elko Speedway, mansion tours in Duluth, game nights with friends, and watching movies together. They also faced a lot challenges together like the death of Ross’s grandfather and two close friends, several job changes for Alayna, and Ross starting seminary. Through it all they grew together as a couple. They laughed and cried and saw each other through the joys of life and the lows of life.

In June of 2023, Ross asked John and Jill, Alayna’s parents, if he could have their blessing to marry Alayna. They of course said yes. Two months later, Ross once again planned a date. This time it was not full of fails. Ok it had one. Ross took Alayna to the James J. Hill house. They went on a tour of the house and at the end, they were allowed to go back and explore the house without the tour guide. Ross asked Alayna to go back upstairs with him. On the way up the stairs Ross paused, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and then proceeded to get down on one knee in the middle of the grand stair case and ask her a very important question. He asked Alayna if she would marry him and of course she said YES. It was a perfect date and a perfect day. Ross’s only fail for the day was that the restraunt he wanted to go to was closed (his luck throughout the entire relationship, but you can ask him about that).