Unity Park, Winona Park & Recreation

BA 5K

Tau Center Rotunda

Wedding Day

Wedding

Riverport Inn & Suites

Reception

Galewski Family Farm

BBQ at the Farm

Our Wedding

The first time that I saw Alyssa was in the parking lot of a Woodman's parking lot in Onalaska, Wisconsin. I don't remember much of the parking lot to be honest, but I do remember seeing a very pretty girl with a big smile on her face approach me as I roved around in my truck looking for her car. We said hi and hugged. It was a little awkward, as is to be expected in these kind of situations. But we quickly became more comfortable as we joked and laughed about our memorable meeting location. I climbed into the passenger seat of her car and we headed to lunch at Rocky Rococo. After lunch we decided that, because it was raining, we'd have to delay our original plans to go hiking in the river bluffs, so we went to PetCo across the street. Now going to a pet store isn't my optimal plan for a first date, but let me tell you, we laughed, we cried, we made made corny jokes about Hamster DJs. It was a genuinely good time.After the rain let up, we drove to a little park at the base of the bluffs on the edge of LaCrosse and began our hike up the path. I was amazed by how Alyssa could effortlessly climb this hill, as I was trying to stealthily conceal the sound of me gasping for more air. At the top of the bluff we found a good spot to take a break atop a rock outcropping with a panoramic view of the city. After taking a snack break we decided that we would forego the use of the trail and just bushwack down the hill. I took the lead, taking every possible opportunity I could to hold her hand (you know, for safety) as we scampered down the precipice. After a few minutes of pretending to know where we were, we stumbled upon the trail head where we started.Afterward we went to one of Alyssa's favorite coffee shops in LaCrosse where we chatted, making observations on the how many hipsters were around us and talking about how God has worked in our lives. I remember that as she drove me back to the Woodman's parking lot, I was thinking, "I really, really like this girl, but she must think I'm so weird... She'll probably never want to talk to me again". Fortunately, my thoughts at the end of our first date were wrong. Now I get to spend my life with this lovely, smart, Christ-following woman that I love!

Our First Date- from Brady's perspective

It was a long, winter Friday afternoon at Westby Middle School. After students had left, I finished organizing my classroom for the coming week and was preparing to leave for the weekend. My classroom phone rang, and the library aide, Laurie, asked me to come and see her before she put in a book order. I quickly shuffled down to the library, hoping it would be a brief meeting so I could get home and do some last-minute cleaning before Brady and my friend, MiKayla, came to visit later that evening. Laurie and I finalized some book lists and chatted about hiking trails in the area as my coworker and friend, Kelly, walked into the library. She and I migrated back to the sixth grade hall and finalized weekend plans as I stood in my classroom's doorway. As we were speaking, I glanced into my room and spotted a handsome, bearded man wearing a tie standing near the back wall. I scurried over to Brady and hugged him, surprised he had come much earlier than expected. It was then that he began the sweetest, most heartfelt speech I've ever heard. As my mind was trying to catch up with the events unfolding before me, Brady descended to his knee and asked me to marry him. I yanked him to his feet, squeezed him tight, and blubbered out a, "Yes!" After a kiss, a ring peek, and an "I-can't-believe-it!", we joyfully started moving towards Kelly's room to formally announce the news and thank her for her help. We unexpectedly ran into a group of 7th grade girls in the hallway who could tell by my face and my sharply-dressed sidekick that something was up. We announced the news to them, and they swore to keep our secret for us until Monday (as well as giggly, social-media crazed middle schoolers can). Brady and Kelly were in cahoots the entire time, and they perfectly orchestrated the surprise! Our engagement story is thoughtful, tender, joyous, and slightly-awkward : a clear reflection of our relationship!

Our Proposal- from Alyssa's perspective

Our Story

Winona

Mike Shaffer

Kale Kautza

Mike Boardley

MiKayla Sanocki-Thompson

Christian Yamakawa

Kayla Kemp

Andy Lammers

Erica Annear

Jenny Schuler

John Vavrosky

Kelly Vaver

Daniel Barman

Lena Menzia

Mya Menzia

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

Book before September 9, 2015Group Code: LAMSHA

Riverport Inn and Express Suites

Across the street from the reception. Book before September 19, 2015.Group Code: EG1

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Winona

Across the street from the reception. Book before September 11, 2015.Group Code: LSW

The Plaza Hotel & Suites

Across the street from the reception.Book before September 10, 2015.Group Code: Lammers/Shaffer Wedding

Super 8 Winona MN

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Winona, Minnesota, is one of our favorite places. Visit this website to get a preview of all the city has to offer in the fall!<a href="http://www.visitwinona.com/">Visit Winona</a>

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