Although we grew up together, our love story didn't start until the summer of June 2017. We spent the weekend at a mutual friends cabin. After arriving back home from the cabin, Payton texted me asking to go out on a first date.

Our first date was hiking at Granddads bluff in La Crosse, WI followed by ice cream at the Pearl.

After spending nearly every day together the rest of summer, Payton decided to make it official and ask me to be his girlfriend on August 28, 2017 before heading back to School at UW-Stout.

We spent the next two years doing long distance as he finished up his bachelors degree and I finished up nursing school.

...and then four more years of long distance while Payton completed his dental program.

On August 28, 2022 (our five year dating anniversary), Payton got down on one knee and asked me to marry him at Devil's Lake State Park (Easy YES I've ever answered).