It's a kind of Monica and Chandler story, no really. Andria and Dom have known each other since 2010 and have been hanging out within the same group of close friends ever since. Over the years their friendship and bond continued to grow. Those close to both of them had known there was a connection that was more than friends between the two, Andria was always smitten with Dom and Dom always had special attention reserved for Andria.

As the years passed, this friendship blossomed into something much closer and the two decided to give something more than friends a chance. It was time for a secret date! Seeing how Andria lived in Rochester, and Dom lived in Duluth, it would prove difficult to keep this date a secret from the same group of friends that knew everything that was going on with each other at all times already. They chose to keep it a secret because with this being something that they both were nervous about already, the added pressure of having everyone else know right away was something they didn't want to distract from focusing on each other and seeing if this would work. So, they both turned off the locations on their phones, (from friends and family) and decided to meet in the cities. The date was a success but the long distance did not offer many opportunities to see each other, luckily having 10+ years of history provided a sense of familiarity with how to handle the distance. The secret caught up with their friends a handful of weeks later and once the word was out it spread quickly! Dom and Andria had MANY questions to answer from MANY individuals but despite this (and some debate for how long this had been going on) they both would quietly smile looking at each other and leave everyone guessing.

Now that everyone knew there were many weekends throughout that year spent traveling from Rochester to Duluth and Duluth to Rochester, spending time getting to know each other in a different way and building a much more personal and intimate relationship together. Knowing there was something there to invest in, the next big hurdle was upon them. Who would move to who? After a few discussions Andria nervously agreed to make the move to Duluth in May of 2022. Packing up everything and moving to the frozen north for a guy certainly seemed crazy for someone that had spent most of her life in the Stewartville and Rochester area! But, this took their relationship to the next level where they now knew each other outside of the trips and special occasions into the day-to-day and everyday life. There was only one more thing left to do after this....

Dom knew pretty shortly after Andria moved in that he would be proposing to her one day (and was pretty sure Andria knew it too), so he set to work figuring out the best way to not only propose but to try to make something that wouldn't be totally a surprise somewhat unique and special for Andria. Having such a close knit group of friends and family, he wanted to make sure they were involved in some way but also keep it something that was just for the two of them. One day while snowshoeing, something they both enjoyed doing together (in the snowiest winter in Duluth history!), he found it. An overlook on a trail with a perfect view of a bridge. A bridge where he got the idea to make signs that would one day ask Andria a very important question. With the help of his friends and family he set to work planning the day, sending out the invitations, creating MASSIVE letters with Logan, and preparing the deception with Andria's sister, Tara to get her to the spot on time. With every detail prepared and thought through it was time to ask the question.

While on their way to 'dinner at a new restaurant suggested by Logan', Tara asked Dom and Andria if she could see the overlook where Dom and Andria had taken Huey (Tara's dog and one of Dom's best friends) on a hike. Andria was resistant because we were already 'late' to meet Logan and we were dressed for dinner and not snowshoeing. Dom assured her that it was right on the way (by design) to the restaurant. Andria agreed and they pulled into the parking lot. It was a short walk to the spot but having snowed so much in Duluth that year Andria was adamant that she would stay in the car while Dom and Tara went out to see the overlook instead. With a slight panic for the unanticipated curveball Tara saved the day by encouraging Andria that she should come with and 'stop being lame'. So they trekked out to the spot, along the way running into one of Dom's work friends who was on a hike. It just so happened that he was also a pretty accomplished photographer! He asked the couple if they wanted a few pictures by the overlook to which they agreed. After a few photos Andria turned around to look out over the view.... where her friends and family were standing on the bridge with huge letters spelling out the most important question.

The rest as they say.....is history!

Having you attend our wedding is the greatest gift of all, however, if you're looking for wedding gift ideas, we've registered here for things that we need to outfit our home.