Alex and Alyssa’s story begins in high school. They started out as Facebook friends, he was one Alyssa’s first online interactions. They continued to casually chat until they ended up meeting through mutual friends that Alyssa was with who were picking Alex up to hang out at a McDonald’s in Sioux City, IA. The attraction was instant. She thought he was very funny and cute. He called her a gremlin and told her that her hair was on fire (it was not).

They talked a little more consistently for a while after that and made plans to meet up a few more times but eventually drifted apart. They would still chat and catch up from time to time over the years but the timing for anything more serious always seemed to be off.

In September 2019, they reconnected and were finally able to tell each other how they really felt. They started dating on September 13th, 2019 and later that same year, Alyssa moved to Sioux Falls, SD to be closer. Alyssa brought with her cats, Mama and Lillian, and rabbits, Winnie and Ellie. Alex’s cat, Zily, was not happy about having to share his attention, she eventually warmed up to the idea.

Together, they fostered many rabbits for the Humane Society. They “foster failed” and adopted rabbits Charlie (2020), Cindy (2021), and Willow (2024). They suffered the heartache of losing foster rabbit Graycie (2020), Mama (2021) and Winnie (2022).

They’ve had many struggles and disagreements, as all couples do, but they have always been willing to work through it together and be there for one another.

On November 11th, 2024, while on their trip to Wall, SD and the Badlands, they stopped at a scenic overlook. While looking at all the different and unique rocks scattered throughout out the gravel, Alex told her if she could find a blue rock, he would marry her. She continued looking until Alex said “what about this one?”. Alyssa turned around to see a beautiful Alexandrite ring (Alyssa’s birthstone) and Alex proposing. She said yes (obviously).