New Year's Eve 2022 is when mutual friends of Max and Karlie put this story into motion. Thinking they would be a good match, Max was given Karlie's number and he texted her the next day. Shortly after, a coffee date was set and they were meeting each other for the first time at a coffee shop in Grand Forks. After five hours of talking and sipping coffee, a 2nd date was in the works.

Max continued to pursue Karlie with his intentional and thoughtful dates. Since he lived in Fargo and she in Grand Forks, he had to get a little creative. It was during a virtual date he had planned over Facetime, where they played a "get to know you" card game, that they both knew they wanted this to continue.

On February 25th, Max asked Karlie to be his girlfriend. Their lives were now filled with constant back-and-forth trips to and from Fargo and Grand Forks and figuring out "short yet long-distance" dating. This distance grew when Karlie left to work at Bluewater Bible Camp for the summer. They had complete reliance on the Lord during these months, and despite being apart, they continued to grow closer as a couple. When Karlie returned home in August, the hour drive between Fargo and Grand Forks didn't seem so bad after all ;)

November 19th, 2023 was a rare 50-degree day late in the fall, and little did Karlie know it would be one of the most memorable days of her life. On this warm Sunday morning, in the driveway of her parents' farm, Max got down on one knee and asked Karlie to marry him. Shocked and overjoyed, she said yes! Not only did Max surprise Karlie with this proposal, but also with family and friends inside her parents' house who had traveled from all over. It was a sweet day celebrating the newly engaged couple, and the start of forever for Max and Karlie.

The Lord has been so kind and faithful throughout this love story, and it is a true testament that His timing is beyond perfect. Karlie and Max are so excited to be husband and wife and celebrate their marriage with family and friends on their big day. June 22nd can't come soon enough!