A decade ago far far away in a town called Fort Wayne Indiana Derek and Julia met at IPFW University in a printmaking class. They didn’t know it yet but their destiny began that day. Derek sees a beautiful redhead and knows he has to have her!!! Unbeknownst the plan Julia is invited to a bonfire at Derek’s. Afterwards he takes her on a canoe outing to Chain O Lakes where he proceeds to paddle her around keeping her red solo cup full ;) After that they knew they were a good fit!!

Julia got Derek and Captain (the pup) and they were inseparable! They moved in together shortly after while Julia finished her student teaching and taught for 2 years in IN. Derek was a full time truck driver and student working his way to his dreams of being an artist!

Scene cut to the day Derek was accepted to grad school in Madison WI…. Julia thinks “sure why not, let’s move 6 hours away from everything I’ve ever know and start a new adventure!!”

Derek gets is in the printmaking program and Julia accepts a job in a small town outside of the city. Making new friends and meeting all kinds of interesting people they knew they were in the right place with their kind of people!!!

Still missing their family they would make their “Midwest tour” every holiday through Indiana and Ohio to swoop back to Madison before too much snow hit the ground!

Fast forward through Covid (which we came together even more as partners)

On their 10 year anniversary Derek and Julia went to door county as one more of their many adventures when at Bailey’s Harbor, Derek began to talk about how great their relationship has been through all the trials and triumphs. Julia and her normally uncomfortable self with emotions began to blabber as Derek says look at the sunset.
It was then that Derek proposed to Julia looking over the water and she said yes!!

Story to be continued…