Erik & Serina’s journey began long before they knew it. They grew up 2 miles down the road from each other in Frost, MN (though Serina claims her address is a Blue Earth one). Their earliest memories of each other are from their rides to school on Bus 5. However, Serina was not fond of Erik in these years and found him to be quite annoying. He was. But eventually things changed.

In 10th grade Serina asked Erik to the Winter Formal dance. He happily accepted. Before the dance, Erik asked Serina out on a date. Serina had to drive as Erik was not quite old enough to drive yet. They went to Subway and saw the movie Passengers. After, Erik asked Serina to be his girlfriend “to make it official.”

In their remaining years of high school, they attended two proms and three winter formals together, enjoyed movie nights, and had many coffee dates at Ankeny’s. Both stayed busy with extracurriculars, but they always made time for each other, building a strong bond that set the foundation for the years to come.

Erik & Serina attended Winona State University for 4 years, where they fell in love with the natural beauty of the town. From hikes along the bluffs to beach days by the river, the stunning scenery became a cherished part of their journey. During this time, they also built a close-knit community of friends who supported, inspired, and shared in their adventures, making their college years truly unforgettable.

Two weeks after graduating from Winona State, Erik & Serina packed up their lives and embarked on a 30-hour road trip to Fort Myers, Florida. It was a hard decision to move so far from family, but they knew opportunities to explore something new don’t come around often. Now, as “real adults,” they balance workdays with beach sunsets, cozy evenings with their beloved cat, Ivy, and discovering what adventures their new home has to offer.

Erik proposed to Serina on a beautiful Saturday at the beach on Sanibel Island. The day was filled with sunshine and the promise of something special. Erik suggested an afternoon walk along the shore, followed by dinner at a new restaurant they’d been wanting to try. As they strolled along the beach, Erik dropped to one knee and asked Serina to take his hand in marriage. Overjoyed, they celebrated their engagement later that evening with friends, marking the start of a beautiful new chapter together.

As our wedding day draws near, we find ourselves reflecting on how fortunate we are to have such amazing people in our lives. Each of you has played a special role in shaping our journey, and we’re so thankful for the love, support, and memories you’ve shared with us. We’re excited for this next chapter and can’t wait to celebrate our big day surrounded by the friends and family who mean the most to us.