The Beginning- July 28th, 2023

Josh and I first met through Hinge, a dating app, during the summer. We both quickly felt a connection but did not find messaging on the app very authentic. So, we exchanged phone numbers and started texting and chatting on the phone daily.

I had a vacation planned that August to visit my Uncle Steve in Utah, and that happened to be the week after Josh and I first connected. I had told very few people about this new boy I was talking to, but I made sure to update Josh on my adventures any moment I could.

When I got home, I made up my mind that I wanted to meet this man in person, and thankfully, Josh asked me out later that day. We had our first date set for Thursday that week, and continued to connect by phone leading up to that day.

Our Almost First Date- August 17th, 2023

Josh planned a great first date and I was so excited to go to the Walker Art Center to play mini golf on the roof (how romantic!). Unfortunately, when I was five minutes away from the parking lot, I got sick in my car. I sent him a voice memo as I made a u-turn to head back home apologizing profusely and even offering to pay for his gas for making the trip. He was so kind about the whole thing, and even though I almost ended up at the hospital that night due to dehydration (shoutout to Kellie for calling the nurse line), he continued to check in and pursue me. By Sunday, I had began to feel better enough to talk to him on the phone, and we facetimed for over two hours. He didn't mind my make-up less face, messy bun, or slightly sickly pale disposition that lingered; He just wanted to know me as I was. That boy had my heart in that moment.

Our First Date- August 25th, 2023

Dunn Brothers in Arden Hills was the location for our first official date. We spent hours talking about our family, our jobs, our hobbies, and passions for God and the people in our lives. We ended up at Half Price Books later, and Josh spent another hour or so listening to me geek out over literature. I could tell in his eyes that he never wanted this to end. I didn’t want it to end either but, after three and a half hours, I did indeed have to go. I ended that date by saying, “You have my number. You can use it.”

Bold? Yes. Did it work? Yes. :)

Its “Official” - September 24th, 2023

After a few more dates and hours of phone calls and facetimes, Josh invited me to his place for a meal and an afternoon of hanging out. Kellie asked me before I left if I thought I would come home with a boyfriend... I said no. Boy, was I wrong. Walking into my house that night, I was GIDDY. I had a boyfriend and I truly knew that this man was my forever and always.

The Engagement- February 17th, 2024

Josh picked me up from my house in Blaine at 2:30 for a coffee and art museum date. We headed to Spyhouse Coffee House in Northeast Minneapolis for an Americano (for him) and a hot cocoa (for me). We chatted like it was any other normal day, and I could not sense any nervousness from Josh. We left for the Walker Art Museum as we had 4:00 pm entry, and we hung up our coats. Josh ran to the bathroom, which I later found out was to take the ring out of the bulky box and put it in his pocket.

We walked up some stairs to a beautiful sitting area with floor to ceiling windows on this gorgeous, sunny winter day. He seemed a little weird in this moment, which I commented on, and then he proceeded to take me into the art gallery itself. Little did I know that two of my best friends were following close behind us with cameras out in preparation for the moment when he would go down on one knee.

We ended up back where we started, and Josh brought me closer to the windows and hugged me, took my hand, and stared at me. I looked at him in that moment and realized what was happening. I literally asked him, "Is it happening?" and he nodded yes. Josh went down on one knee and ask me to marry him in that next moment. I said yes before he even finished the question. Easiest yes of my whole life.

And now, our life officially begins together with that one question, and we are so excited!

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