We first met in March of 2020 - right after the COVID pandemic started. The first 1.5 months of our friendship were spent talking every night over facetime because we lived 3 hours apart and weren’t able to see each other in person due to the quarantine. In early May we were finally able to start seeing each other - we took turns each weekend making the 3 hour drive in between Howard and Winner. This is a photo of us on our first date at the drive inn movie theater in Winner.

We made so many fun memories during our first summer together. From wedding dances…

To lake days…

To lots of evenings at the ballpark and everything in between. We realized quickly in these few first months together that we had a special connection that neither of us had ever felt before.

Before we knew it we had to go back to college. Carter was attending MTI in Mitchell for his final year, and Josie was at Mount Marty for her second year of nursing school. We once again took turns driving back and forth from Mitchell and Yankton several times a week to see each other. It was so nice to only be 1 hour apart from each other!

Our first New Year’s Eve celebration together.

Before long, Carter finished college and moved back home to the farm. The next couple years of our relationship were spent living 3 hours apart again while Josie finished nursing school in Yankton. Life threw us so many curve balls and challenges in those couple years, and we were so thankful to have each other to lean on. We had to go a few weeks without seeing each other at times and we heavily relied on lots of facetime calls, tractor dates on the weekends, and looked forward to the day we didn’t have to do long distance anymore.

We have spent many holidays over the last few years driving back and forth to spend time with both of our families.

Carter learned quickly that Josie and her pup, Rizzo, are a package deal!

Josies nursing school graduation - next step move to Winner - yay!!

Valentine’s day at the sale barn - welcome to the ranch life Josie!

It’s so hard to believe Carter and I have only been together for four years - it feels like we’ve known each other forever. But - our life together is just beginning and we have a feeling the best is yet to come. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all on September 28th 🤍🤍🤍