Bretta and Gavin met in high school at Oshkosh West. They were both in orchestra together and played the violin. (I know, not what you expected.) They started dating the end of their sophomore year and have been inseparable every since!


Gavin joined the National Guard on Halloween of 2019. He was set to go to basic training that next summer. Their junior year continues on like any other until spring break turns into two weeks, to the rest of the school year. COVID hit March of 2020 forcing schools to close, airports to shut down, borders to close, etc. Over the next few months, Bretta and Gavin spent as much time together as their parents would allow. Spending their time going insane together. They were unsure if Gavin would still be going to basic training that summer due to COVID. They were hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. They found out 11 days before Gavin was set to leave that he was still going to basic training that summer. They made the most out of that week in a half going swimming at the quarry, having a fire, going to a trampoline park, doing fireworks, and hiking. They said their goodbyes and Gavin went on his crazy journey. It went on to be the worst summer for Bretta as their only form of communications was writing letters in the mail. Due to COVID restrictions, we weren't allowed to go to Gavin's basic training graduation. If you didn't know, this is a very emotion event for the family and the soldier as this is your first time hearing each others voices and seeing them in 2 1/2 months. At least we were able to watch it on live stream.


Gavin returns home at the end of August, 2020. Gavin and Bretta go on to start their senior year of high school together! At this time, they were only going to school every other weekday and had to wear a mask for the whole school day. All tables had those plastic dividers up and sitting 6 ft apart. But by the end of September, we were virtual again until January. By the end of February we were back to going 5 days a week with a mask on. 


Gavin moves in with Bretta and her mom in January. Gavin had found out his new unit was located in Stevens Point. They made the decision to move to Stevens Point after graduation. They started looking for apartments in March. On April 1st, 2021 (Their 2nd anniversary) Gavin and Bretta found out they got an apartment! A few days later we drove up to Stevens Point to tour our apartment and sign the lease! On some weekends we went to the apartment and slowly started moving things in. On June 2nd, 2021 Bretta and Gavin graduate from high school! A week later they were all moved in to their new home. Lucky enough, Bretta's mom was moving a month after we were and she gave us some furniture! Betta's Mom sold her house and moved to an apartment in Oshkosh the end of June. Gavin left for AIT, more training for the military the end of June. During that time, Bretta was spending most weekends in Oshkosh and also working their at Olive Garden and staying in Point during the week. This was a hard time for Bretta as she didn't know anyone in Stevens Point yet. In August Bretta started school at Mid-State technical college to earn her certificate for Medical Assistance. Towards the end of August, Bretta, Gavin's mom and Grandma, all traveled to Oklahoma to see Gavin Graduate AIT and bring him back home. 


Bretta starts working part time at Buffalo Wild Wings while in school at Mid-State and Gavin starts working full time at a car dealership as a salesman. In September 2021, Bretta visits the local humane society while Gavin is at work and accidently brings home an orange kitten. The shelter gave him the name Prince Charles but we didn't think that fit him and decided to go with Prince for short. I knew he was going to be spoiled so Prince fit perfectly. Both Gavin and Bretta fell in love with him. He definitely spiced up their life living up to the orange cat stereotype! Gavin unexpectedly had to have surgery to remove his appendix in October. He recovers well. 


On November 20th, 2021, Gavin sends Bretta on a scavenger hunt for date night. When she gets home from work, she finds a note and her first clue for the scavenger hunt. Bretta put on some warm clothes and headed to the first stop on the scavenger hunt. Gavin was waiting for Bretta at the Sculpture park in Stevens Point. Gavin explains that he is going to be following Bretta in his car to make sure Bretta went to the correct spot. Gavin sends Bretta all the way to Oshkosh. Each spot they stopped at had a meaningful memory to them. They end the scavenger hunt at the Riverwalk where they had their first date. Each spot had a pumpkin and the next clue. Gavin tells Bretta they have to walk the path until they found pumpkins. Over half way down the path, Bretta finds a big pile of little pumpkins with the last clue. As Bretta reads it aloud, Gavin kneels down on one knee and asks Bretta to marry him. Obviously, Bretta says yes! 


Bretta's sister Kyra was hanging out with their close friend Hannah at her apartment and wanted Bretta to come over. They decide to go over and tell them the good news! When they walk upstairs into Hannah's apartment, Bretta is surprised with an engagement party! Turns out Gavin had also been planning the party and Kyra and Hannah telling Bretta to come over was all apart of the plan. 


Now we're jumping ahead to May 2022 as December-April is pretty uneventful as Bretta was focusing on school and work and Gavin was also working. Although, Gavin did convince Bretta to get another cat because Prince was lonely and bored. On May 5th they went to the humane society together this time, and adopted Mylo, a 2 year old white short haired cat with black spots. At first Prince HATED Mylo but they eventually become best friends. 


In July, 2022 Gavin gets sent to Louisiana for his annual training. Gavin was gone for 3 1/2 weeks. Bretta distracts herself by working a ton and taking a summer class. But while Gavin is gone, Bretta Gets Covid and has to quarantine for 10 days. Bretta felt like she was going crazy at home with just the cats. But she recovers and goes back to work right away. Gavin gets home the beginning of August and a few days later they go to the Wisconsin Dells for a cousins trip with Bretta's family. They all ended up getting a cocktail themed tattoo. Bretta got a glass of wine and Gavin got a whiskey coke. 


Bretta starts her final semester in the medical assistant program in August. Bretta starts her clinicals at the beginning of November. She get's offered a job at the clinic she did her clinics at and accepts it! Bretta graduates December 10th and starts her job as a medical assistant two days later. Gavin starts working as a security guard during the fall. The weekend of Bretta's birthday, she passes her certification exam for medical assistant!


Let's fast forward again to March 2022. Bretta and Gavin get their matching lion tattoos on their arms. In the spring time Gavin starts his mobile car detailing business. That basically brings us to now. Gavin and Bretta did go on a cruise the end of October with Bretta's family. They had a blast visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.