It all began with a New Year’s resolution. On January 1st, 2022, Baillie signed up for Bumble, determined to meet someone new. Just a week later, on January 8th, her and Tim met for the first time, and let’s just say it escalated quickly from there. From the very first date, it felt like we’d known each other for years, comfortable and safe in each other's presence.

Our first date was at what is now Gary's Supper Club in Lakeville, conveniently located halfway between Chaska and Hastings. We spent the evening chatting, laughing, and, of course, enjoying each other’s company. But the moment that truly stands out was the kiss goodbye—an unforgettable moment that confirmed this was something special.

Looking back, we both realized we were meant to be together long before the proposal. It was one night when Baillie, half-asleep, casually said, “I’m going to marry you someday.” Tim’s whispered reply, “Yes, yes, you are,” sealed the deal for both of us. We knew we were each other's forever.

The proposal itself was a bit of a surprise, but not in the way Tim had planned! He had chosen a weekend with Fergus, but in classic Fergus fashion, the cat was out of the bag when he told her “There’s a ring in a box in this box”. While Baillie was still processing the news, Tim dropped to one knee and popped the question. We had already picked out our rings together, so the surprise wasn’t in the ring, but in the sweet moment of Tim asking, “Will you marry me?”

What makes our relationship truly unique is the balance of sass and sweetness we share. We love to joke around, but we also know when to be serious. Our hobbies bond us even more—we spend hours building Legos, challenging each other in board games (though we all know Baillie wins 95% of the time), attending Wild games, and swimming. We’re constantly finding new ways to laugh and grow together.

One of our most cherished memories was our first trip to the family lake house. Tim spent hours skipping rocks, while Baillie relaxed on the water, appreciating the calm and beauty of the moment. That day captured the essence of our relationship: peaceful, fun, and full of love.

Over the years, we’ve grown together in countless ways. We’ve learned how to communicate openly and honestly, and we’ve discovered new joys we share along the way. Now, as we prepare to start this new chapter, we’re excited to continue growing together as a family. And let’s face it, we’re both pretty excited to continue our board game competition.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for us—together, as a family, continuing to build memories, share laughs, and love each other more every day.