Amanda’s Version:
Erik and I matched on Tinder during the pandemic. He opened with a cheesy line about my smile and asked about Artemis (which was an immediate green flag). We spent weeks talking and snapchatting, and finally we decided to go on a date (dont worry, we made sure we were both COVID negative). After dropping my location to some friends and convincing them that he was a normal guy (and not a serial killer), I drove to Manitowoc to meet Erik, where he took me near the lake, and we sat on the tailgate and talked for a few hours. It was super cute and romantic, and the entire time we laughed and told each other stories. After hinting a few times that I was cold, I stole his sweatshirt (hoping to see if he would put his arm around me or make a move. Spoiler alert, he didnt. He was and continues to be a gentleman). After I convinced Erik to let me drive his truck (which I didnt crash), we decided to continue our date with a movie. The night ended, and when I left, I immediately checked in with my friends to say that not only did I not go on a date with a serial killer and was alive, but that I met the man I was going to marry. From there, he must have liked me for some reason, because we became inseparable.

Eriks Version:
Amanda and I ended up matching on Tinder during the great pandemic of 2020. As I came to her profile the thing that caught my eye was her smile and the fact she had a cute dog was a bonus. Fast forward to us having our first date in good ol Manitowoc, WI. I had dates before from tinder that kinda were questionable so I went in with zero expectations. I gave her the grand tour of Manitowoc and we ended up at Neshota Beach sitting on the tail gate talking about pretty much everything. I guess she was dropping hints to make a move but being the gentleman I am and not being good at picking up hints I ended up giving her my sweatshirt. We ended up watching a movie and she ended up going back to Green Bay.  After that date I knew immediately that there was something about her that was different, after just that one date I missed her which was weird for me because I had no expectations from it. Little did I know that I had actually gone on a first date with my future wife. After a few ups and downs and us trying to break up with each other we became inseparable. Amanda is not only my best friend, partner, and soon to be wife but she also blessed me with being able to be the best dog dad to Artemis Cleopatra. I wouldnt change anything and I cant wait for what our future holds!

After our first date, we both decided that we wanted to continue seeing one another. We alternated weekends visiting one another, Erik got used to being a dog dad, and although we hit some bumps in the road, we decided that we wanted to be together and in October 2020 we made it official. After over a year of driving back and forth to one another, we decided to move in together in July 2021. Erik moved to Green Bay and in with Amanda and Artemis and they became a mini family. As our relationship continued, we traveled together, had many date nights, and even more nights just lying on the couch watching tv or annoying the dog to give us attention. Erik must have realized I was the one, because he planned to propose and told Amanda about it for months. Dropping little hints (and answering Amanda's continues questions). On October 29, 2022, we went to a pumpkin patch where he popped the question.

We often say that we are lucky to have found one another. We say that it just had to be fate how we met, and how even after breaking up with each other (twice...obviously that didn't work), and that through the distance, pandemic, and hard times, we both swiped right and found one another.

We thank you for reading our story and can't wait to celebrate our big day with you.