Clara was in her 3rd year at Minnesota State University, Mankato and Coleton was moving back home on the job hunt after graduating from Bemidji State University. They both swiped right on a dating app and had their first date on April 1st. Such fools. Their date was anything, but typical starting out at Minneopa Falls then to Wowzone for some bowling and mini golf then to Boulder Taphouse for some tasty food. I think neither of them wanted the night to end. Clara even tagged along with Coleton that night to Menards to get a light fixture he was replacing at his aunt and uncles house after breaking the original one. After their first date, I think they knew something was special between the two of them.

As Coleton landed his first real job after college at Mankato Ford and Clara getting her degree, they made things official on April 22, 2019. Summer was approaching and they spent a lot of time together on the lake at Coleton's family cabin on Lake Washington. Meeting each other's friends and families, everything was so fun and easy between the two. They joked and got to know more about each other.

Then as a new job came up for Coleton, Clara graduated the following spring and landed her first teaching job. The two were used to living in Mankato near each other, but even when Clara's job put a few more miles between them, their relationship kept getting stronger.

May 2021, Clara got her job at Cleveland Public Schools which meant she was able to move back to Mankato. The two decided it was time they take their relationship to the next level and move in together. Growing together and learning how to work together as a team, taking on household responsibilities gave them a glimpse of what their future together would look like.

After being together for 4 years, Coleton realized he was ready to make the next step in their relationship and get down on one knee. On May 27, 2023, he took Clara out "fishing" on his family's fishing boat and got down on one knee and asking her to marry him. They drove quickly back to the cabin where their families were waiting to celebrate the couple's engagement.

The rest is history we are so excited to start our next chapter together as Mr. and Mrs. Lynch!