After Kade courageously... or nervously... added Helena on snapchat, that was the easiest follow back of her life. Little did he know this was an answered prayer after she took one glance at his Instagram. From that day forward, there weren't many minutes in the day that they didn't spend talking. This was during Helena's second year of college in Missoula and Kade's time in San Diego. After three months of FaceTime challenges, 2am calls, surprise door dashes, and too many hours smiling at a screen, Kade knew he had to fly back home to meet the girl he would soon.... or three years later pop the most Montanan, Kade-like, exciting question to that would change their relationship forever. When the day they had been waiting for finally arrived, like any gentleman, Kade knocked on her parents door and swept not only Helena, but the whole Denning family off their feet. Since the entire date was planned by Kade, they of course went to get gyros at Ambrosia, then ended the night throwing axes where Helena had the chance to sweep him off his feet by hitting the first bullseye.

One thing that's always been important to Kade and Helena has been prioritizing adventurous experiences. From the start of long distance, they learned to not take time together for granted which helped shape the foundation of living life to the fullest alongside one another. Kade and Helena's first trip was to Hawaii where they cage dived with sharks, spent lots of time tanning and snorkeling, and visiting friends. After traveling in an airport and sharing a bathroom, they learned a lot about each other, which was a pivotal time in their relationship. The success of Hawaii led to many more trips like Glacier, Mexico, Scarywood theme park, concerts, and Helena dominating him on the Amazing Fun Center basketball court!! Kade and Helena are looking foward to one of the biggest trips of their lives as husband and wife.

Although this may be a little out of sequence, Kade and Helena are all about doing things in their own fashion. Helena was a little nervous with moving out for the first time, but rest assured nothing makes Kade raise an eyebrow. In addition to their travel adventures, this was unlike any other one with this being their biggest step in their relationship this far. After all the days and nights together this past year, the time of long distance feels like a life time ago.

Not long after moving in together, Helena knew she wanted a fury friend to keep her company while Kade was hunting 9 months out of the year. Rutt was born on January 29th, 2025 and a day later, Helena already wanted pictures of the litter. From the first picture, she picked out Rutt and knew she wouldn't settle for any other dog but him. It took some convincing... and a surprise reservation... to get Kade on board. After they saw Rutt for the first time, they knew they couldn't say no to him. 8 weeks after he was born, he was brought home in the cradling arms of his new mom and surrounded by lots of friends and family. It took a few days to name him, but eventually landed on a hunting term: Rutt. Rutt is now the main talking point to strangers when they bring him into town which is totally fine by them!

Helena thought this day would never come. They had talked about spending the rest of their lives together, but Kade always said he was in no rush. Helena thought she was going to be a girlfriend for at least another year, not knowing Kade was planning this day for over 6 months. On a regular Monday, Kade wanted to take Helena to his grandpa's property outside of Missoula to sight in her hunting rifle before the season opened while also taking family pictures. While Helena was talking to his grandparents, Kade was setting up his proposal which Helena had no idea about. At the gun range, Helena was looking through her sight, very transfixed on the bullseye, while completely missing the sign above the target. Kade had to tell Helena to look at all of the targets through the scope, then once she did, she was about to shoot the "Will you Marry Me?" sign thinking it was a piece of scratch paper. Before she shot it, she lowered the gun, looked behind her in confusion, and saw Kade down on one knee. In Helena's mind, there was no way this was happening because she had already prepared herself that she'll be a girlfriend for a while, so she said "What the f***?" and "no" repeatedly thinking it was a prank. After Kade gave his wonderful speech while asking her to marry him, she finally believed it was real and couldn't contain her excitement. While Helena was still shaking from surprise and excitement, she nailed the bullseye on the "yes" target and Kade couldn't have been prouder. This was the biggest surprise in her entire life and Kade just pulled it off without ever letting her think it was happening. Helena of course was still crying when everyone came out of the bushes and celebrated with them. Kade also surprised Helena with her entire family showing up. This day could not have been more thoughtful, perfect, and filled with so much love all thanks to Kade and his months of planning. This day marked the start of Helena's very indecisive wedding planning and Kade going along for the ride. The two could not be more excited to spend the rest of their lives together and filling it with so many memories of family, friends, adventures, and love.