Centenial Hall, Eau Claire, WI. The year is 2018. Our two heroes don't yet know that this is the year that will change their lives, and lead them toward their destiny. In March, it's just another boring History 115 class. Jake, who normally does well in school and once got the highest grade ever in a class even though he didn't show up (Katelyn got an A-), was struggling with writing essay questions. He was forced to pay attention during lectures. Thus, he noticed a girl with black hair sitting in the front row always smiling. He sent her a love letter (Instagram DM), which only had two of the sweetest words any man has ever said to a girl.... "What up". Wow.. even as I'm writing this it brings tears to my eyes how romantic that is.

Katelyn was not as enthused with this romantic gesture, and it took a push from Caylee, bridesmaid, to respond (she literally pushed the send button). Her response was not ideal for Jake, and he thought this was an opportunity scourned. Jake did not give up though, and persisted in talking to the smiling girl from History 115. He kept writing her love letters (Instagam DMs), and she finally gave him her phone number and the two started talking over the phone.

Fast forward to September of 2018. Katelyn is hobbling around Eau Claire due to her tearing her ACL again. Jake, who just destroyed the competition in a golf tournament in MN, couldn't wait to get back to Eau Claire to finally start dating this black-haired smiling girl. They started dating on September 2, 2018, and spent out their days in Eau Claire going on long walks on the beach, playing with puppies, and watching romantic comedies.

Uh-oh, what is this? A Pandemic! UWEC cancelled classes for three weeks (later turning into a few months) on a Thursday. For some reason, Jake still had class on that Friday, and was forced to figure out what to do quickly. Katelyn's family graciously invited Jake into their home, where the most comfortable couch in the entire world became his bed for the next couple of months. During this time, Katelyn and Jake would also visit Jake's family in Nebraska, where Jake found out Katelyn truly loved him by watching all of Academy Award Winning show Breaking Bad with him. They would zig and zag back and forth to Wisconsin and Nebraska during this time away from school, but Jake would soon find his real/true love...

Christopher Morgan, Katelyn's brother, soon became Jake's confident and barber. The two become good pals during this time; playing video games, Christopher losing in basketball to Jake, just overall dudes being dudes. We could go on and on about Jake and Christopher, but this website does say “Katelyn and Jake”, so we should get back to that.

Jake and Katelyn graduate college in May 2021 and move to Green Bay. Katelyn pulls Jake into the NDA girls basketball fan club while she wins a couple state championships (@Christopher). Fast forward now a few years to January of 2024.

Jake planned to surprise Katelyn with a ring all the way back in September of 2023. An engagement ring! He picked a date in January that would work well to confuse her, get family and friends from out of town there to celebrate the couple (what Katelyn always wanted), and help her dream engagement come true. I know when people think of Wisconsin in January, they normally think of it being sunny, 75 degrees, and a vacation paradise for people around the country. Unfortunately, the day before Jake proposed to Katelyn, it snowed over a foot.

Somehow though, Jake convinced Katelyn to leave the house to go to breakfast. He said they had reservations at a local resturant, and he worked really hard to get these so they had to go no matter the weather. A simple google search would've showed Katelyn that this place did not take reservations. Once out of the house, Jake drove Katelyn to where their first date happened in Green Bay, right by Vince Lombardi's old house (coincidence the Packers beat the Cowboys in the playoffs the next day?).

Jake asked her to marry him, and she said yes while they were surrounded by their family. They then drove to Mackinaws, a Morgan family staple, to celebrate. SURPRISE! More people! People came from far and wide through a blizzard to celebrate Katelyn (and Jake). Her Aunt and Uncle even flew in from Germany! The one in Europe, not EPCOT.

In all seriousness, we are so excited to celebrate with all of you in July! We are so happy to share this next part of our story with you, and can't wait to keep adding more to it in the future!