Mitch and Emma both grew up in DeForest and attended the same middle and high schools. Even though Mitch is one year older than Emma, they were both advanced in math (Mitch by one year and Emma by two years) and they shared the same math class in middle school. They were first introduced to each other in “The Math Club”, where the club was an unofficial but organized way to have some goofy fun while they learned algebra. They didn’t become friends at the time, but it was the spark of Emma’s crush on Mitch ;)

Fast forward a few years to Emma’s junior year and Mitch’s senior year of high school. One of the volleyball games had a theme of “Jersey Night” for the student section. Some of Emma’s teammates who were Mitch’s mutual friends had an idea for some of the guys in the student section to wear their away volleyball jerseys to the game. Mitch didn’t actually wear Emma’s jersey to the game that night, but he was in charge of gathering and handing out some of the girls’ jerseys to his friends in the student section, and one of those jerseys just happened to be Emma’s. While trying to figure out how to get Emma’s jersey back to her, Mitch and Emma had the idea to go to Ian’s Pizza and turn the swap into a date. Mitch and Emma continued dating and going to themed student section nights throughout high school, which is the source of their first ever picture taken together (above) on “Toga Night”.

After 9 years together Mitch (finally!!) proposed on November 6, 2022. Emma and Mitch spent the afternoon at Mitch’s parents’ house watching the Packer game. Since the family was gathered there, Mitch’s mom had planned family photos in the backyard to be taken after the game.

Unbeknownst to Emma, Mitch had happened to buy a ring a few months earlier. The day before pictures were taken, Mitch worked a deal with his sister and the photographer (who was his sister’s friend) to come up with a secret pose that would signal to Mitch that the photographer was in the perfect position to get some action shots of the proposal and the reaction.

When the family photos were almost complete, the photographer asked if Mitch and Emma wanted to take a few photos of just the two of them. They smiled for a few shots, the photographer asked for “the pose” and Mitch dropped to a knee! Emma gave a long awaited “yes” and celebrations with excited and surprised family began!

Mitch works as an engineer and Emma is a pharmacist completing her second year of residency training. They have had a busy year between wedding planning, settling into their first home, and welcoming their puppy, Penny. In all the craziness they still manage to enjoy cabin weekends, game nights, and time with family and friends! They can’t wait to celebrate with you all soon!