Growing up I always sort of knew what I wanted in life. The picture I had in my head was a house in the country, where I would look out into the yard and see my kids playing with the dogs. Standing next to me would be my wife, and together we would build this picture perfect life. The only problem was at that time I wasn't sure who she was, or where/when I would find her.... What I didn't know was that she was in the same room as me more often than I ever could have imagined.

Avery and I both grew up in Hayfield, MN and went to school together. There is one memory etched into my brain from elementary school that ended up being significant even though it didn't seem so at the time. I was in second grade, and standing in the lunch line when a friend of mine tapped me on the shoulder and told me that Avery had "a crush" on me. Like most elementary school crushes this seemed like nothing, but it ended up being a seed that would blossom into something more.

After that moment, a decade would go by of passing in the halls, sitting in the same classes, small talking, and attending the same school events. The summer of 2018 though is where we really began to get to know each other. Avery had been working at SACC in Hayfield, and as soon as I graduated I was asked to begin working there as well. Our usual shifts were me working 10-5, and Avery working 11-6. This meant that we had to hangout with one another on pretty much a daily basis. It didn't take long though for both of us to begin to enjoy each other's company.

Years would go by though before we ever went on a date. October 7th 2020 would be the first time we did anything together. Avery got to plan it all, and of course chose to go bowling and to eat at the Texas Roadhouse (shout out to their rolls, and cinnamon honey butter.) This was the first of many dates that would follow, and what would end up being the beginning of forever.

This past August I decided it was time to pop the question. Anyone who knows me knows that shopping is not my strong suit. However, my job was easy because Avery had sent me dozens of different rings for inspiration. I chose her favorite one of the batch, and began to plan all of the details. The morning of October 28th is when I asked the big question, and luckily she said yes...