The family tradition lives on with another love story beginning on a ski hill. Just like Grandpa and Grandma Bruning meeting on the slopes, Quinn and Gavin met in December of 2020 riding up the chairlift at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minnesota. Quinn was a freshman at the College of Saint Scholastica and Gavin was finishing his last year at Lake Superior College. Quinn, feeling desperate to find friends to ski with, was riding up the chairlift with random people. Kismet in action when Quinn rode up the chairlift with Gavin, on her second day out for the season. Gavin noticed Quinn skiing earlier that day and Quinn recalls he was quite impressed with her fine level of skills. Gavin and his friend challenged Quinn to a race on the next run. Quinn, confident in the win to come, agreed. Gavin impressed her and she thought she just may have a friend.

Friends…Quinn placed Gavin in the friend zone despite Gavin falling head over heels for her. He played it cool. Gavin timed those ski trips to Spirit at random times in hopes to see Quinn. They spent hours skiing together on the weekends, lots of talking and getting to know each other.

Many firsts...the first time Gavin drove Quinn to her car in February…The romantic surprise with a waffle on the passenger seat, waiting for her…Well not actually, it was his cold waffle he forgot to eat earlier…the odd Yung Gravy music playing…this impressed Quinn…sort of. Further attempts to impress Quinn during his first time at the Bruning cabin. Gavin broke a rib doing jet ski tricks. This is also when he met her parents.

Just more skiing and talking. That’s it. Huh.

The breakthrough…climbing together in April. Just the two of them. It’s important to Quinn that it is noted that she beat him but besides that they realized they missed each other with the ski season finished up.

On Gavin's birthday he was feeling good vibes and confessed that he LIKED her. Quinn doesn’t remember how she responded in the moment but the next night she made a deal…if Gavin still liked her from April to September she would then date him (for just one date).

Four days later…They drove up the Scenic Highway to Two Harbors, talked more, Gavin took car pics, then onto a drive to Hawks Ridge and more talking, sharing…Quinn agreed to a date. Gavin’s patience and perseverance paid off.

The first official date was on Quinn’s birthday! May 7th, 2021 an adventure that began at Dovetail Coffee Shop and off to Gooseberry to hike. Quinn was nervous with the hand holding as she had never dated before and Gavin was a gentleman with a hug to end the date.

Four days later they enjoyed a bonfire on Wisconsin Point.

More drives, more chats, more adventures…together they’ve explored the Boundary Waters countless times, and began a tradition to go out west to ski Bridger Bowl and Big Sky. They found they complement each other in their encouragement and support to improve in their hobbies and sports.

Things progressed...Gavin knew Quinn was the one. He approached Quinn’s father, Jon, on the family ski trip in Idaho. After a chat to avoid thrift shopping, Gavin asked Jon for her hand. Jon approved and later Danae talked with Gavin as well sharing her approval. All was bliss and then the search began for “the ring”. Quinn had thoughts, preferences and wishes. Gavin wanted it to be all she hoped for and more. Gavin carried the ring in his car for 2 months! Gavin carried it in the hip belt of his pack while together on adventures in the Rocky Mountains! He did not propose...waiting for the right moment...making parents nervous and wondering when. Then 4 months later while adventuring up the North Shore the moment felt right. Multiple places explored and with a Drone flying above ! Going down on one knee while Quinn was standing on the rocks, rushing water flowing by he asked! She said yes!