Lake Monster Brewing Company

Rehearsal Party

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

First I saw Sarah at a campus presentation at the University of North Dakota in early October, where although well out of college I was a member of an LGBTQ socio-educational group. Reserved and focused, she wore a black button-down shirt, boots, jeans and a Nightmare Before Christmas tie. Although women's styles vary, I thought she might be a lesbian."The presenter's helper is really attractive," I whispered to my friend next to me."You should talk to her," he said."Hell no, that's scary as shit." I slumped in the chair to reinforce my point."You should definitely talk to her, because she's coming around with papers and you don't even have to get up and make the effort of walking," he said. "It's the easiest opportunity to talk to a girl ever."Sarah passed us each a flier about domestic violence. I smiled and said thank you."I talked to her. It was terrifying," I whispered to my friend."Do you feel better?" he asked. "You should ask her out. Give her your number.""I feel like I'm going to throw up or pass out, but I talked to her! It was awesome."Social Hour followed the presentation. Donning my long coat, I hoped I resembled Batman and made a beeline for the quiet girl in the tie.Sarah stood with a stack of papers in the midst of mingling people. I realized if I initiated conversation, I would also need to commit to awkward silence when it became clear I had no idea what to talk to her about. My insides swirled and I felt my pulse in my stomach. I would talk to her, no matter what."Nice tie.""Thanks," she said. I walked out and went home, feeling important.The following few weeks were very spontaneous, including drunken shenanigans with ladies in bars and a tattoo to commemorate the resolution to stop worrying so much about what other people think. I had my heart broken twice and put distance between myself and ties with my ex-girlfriend. Late one night in early November, I paced my living room floor with nothing to do but argue with myself about why I was at home instead of the bar meeting people. I was familiar with online dating, but hesitant to use it again after some bad experiences. Still milling around the empty house well past midnight, I broke down and logged in to an old dating account, realizing the information on file was eight years old. After replacing the old account with one that reflected me as an adult, I was ready for a new approach.Pickings were slim and I considered going to bed after a few pages, but a picture of a woman who looked dressed for the Renaissance Festival piqued my interest. Sarah's profile included a cat picture, a sword and an invitation to receive trivia."Tea originated in China and, like Champagne, is not 'real' tea unless it is from China," she messaged.For some reason she kept talking to me in spite of my smooth response: "A group of cats is called a clowder. Theoretically, if you ever decided to commercially prepare cats, you could can them and call it Clowder Chowder."An evening arrived when we met at her apartment for the first time. The smell of a hot oven permeated the air and I thought it was cute she was baking. She showed me her creation, a handmade metal dagger she was tempering on two bricks. I knew this unorthodox woman needed to stay in my life somehow.Bearing in mind a questionable sense of occasion, I asked Sarah to be my girlfriend on Christmas Eve in the middle of the night. Although she agreed, we worried about the future. I had preexisting plans to move to Minneapolis, but no set time frame, plan or much money. She was moving there in the spring to complete an internship. In preparation, I bought fifty blank cards and filled them across several months with themed activities, gift cards, reading material and words of love to indicate when Sarah should open them ("Open when… you feel lonely; Open when… you want tea") in hopes of keeping our relationship strong while living five hours apart.I presented my masterpiece the weekend we moved her away, the night before I had to drive home. Among the introductory cards was a promise ring, folded and taped inside an origami puppy head with explicit instructions to gut it in exchange for jewelry.If ever there was someone to marry, it's the adventurous woman holding a blade who hesitates, but still brains a paper dog, to wear your ring.

The Smooshy Relationship Origin Story, as told by Katie

Technically, the first time we met was when I was helping my supervisor give a presentation on domestic violence and sexual assault in the LGBTQ community at a local ‘queer and allies’ group. It was October-ish so, naturally, I was wearing a Nightmare Before Christmas tie. As I was handing out flyers and generally trying to be not there (or at least a inconspicuous and out of the was as possible)&nbsp;so my supervisor could give the presentation. Someone complimented my tie (which was awesome) as I was handing out said handouts. Flustered, I said thanks and returned to my super’s side and started the presentation.

The next day I asked my supervisor if I had been allowed to give or take phone numbers while there. She asked, “Why, did you?” I said no. She thought about it for a minute and shrugged, “Sad, I would have allowed it.” Opportunity: Missed.

Fast forward a few weeks and I was talking to a coworker (clearly I didn’t get out much) about how I was going to get a cat and change my radius on OKCupid (internet dating site) to the Twin Cities. Well, by the time Thanksgiving rolled around, I got a cat and was going to change my location on my profile when I got back from a trip to New Mexico. At a ridiculous time of day/night I got a message on OKC and we got to talking. That same day she invited me over to meet 8+ of her friends for drinking and mentioned that if I were a serial killer they would meet me at the door with a battle ax.

Obviously I said no. &hellip;.now I am questioning my life choices.

A few days later and after many many incredibly long OKC messages, we met at my friend’s apartment where I was terrified, curled up in a chair, and completely destroyed her at video games. We were playing Portal 2. We were trying ‘team work’. I looked over at her and asked, “Do you trust me?” She never answered.

...I killed her.

We started ‘seeing’ each other for a while.

Not 100% sure which came first after this, but I was up front with her from the beginning that by the end of my classes I was leaving for the Twin Cities and would not come back. I asked her what she wanted from me and she said a long-term relationship.

December 24th, 2015 she asked me to be her girlfriend. Worst. Timing. Ever.

A little over two years later, many crazy stories, two days after her birthday I brought her to the Endless Bridge and she agreed to marry me.

Sarah' Story!

Our Story

Details

Photos

Legally adopted sister that my brother picked out for me. Best Sister-In-Law ever, amazing support, banana bottler, best life-choice that my brother made... that I am stealing. Karla has always been a huge support since my brother brought her to the family. I know I can always trust her to have my back, give a listening ear, and wise advice wrapped up in humor and energy! I can't think of a better person to have in my family.

Karla Larsen

On the high seas of spontaneity, the hand of organization. When adventure calls or TV needs watched from a nest of blankets, Holls-to-ze-Y (with the Y pronounced "E") will make sure we survive with photo evidence.

Holly Edwards

One of the only friends my parents liked when we were in school, Lulu is my long-time advocate, voice of reason and the example of what an adult life fluent in sarcasm and craft beer  is supposed to look like.

Lu Bai

Adventurer, puddle jumper, dancer, singer, and Ganondorf enthusiast! A true friend since a&nbsp;day &nbsp;outside of math class. We've had countless nights just driving and listening to music in the rain. No matter what blows up our lives we know we have each other on the other side of the&nbsp;mess.

Sandra Youngs

Best Worst Influence on my life. Putting up with me for longer than she has not been, one of the best friends anyone could hope for. Kaytee has been my best friend for longer than anyone. We were together in one class, and forced to separate the next year. Knows everything and still chooses to stay around.

Kaytee Estall

The bromance to out-bro Broseidon, King of the Brocean and Bronan the Brobarian, if they were on a bro-date in a pickup-bed-turned-mobile-pool. Dave the Pretty Bro is more there for you than the Friends theme song and is also my cat's favorite person.

Dave Olsen

Supreme Empress of the Universe and that friend you would be lucky to have on your side, and should be terrified if you don't. A friend through happenstance who came to be someone I trust with everything. Even as I&nbsp;steal all her stuff.

Staci Estall

Ninja developer of the Platypus Punch and Emu Jab. Ruben "Tank" is the encouraging voice to experience everything, especially the most disturbing and unorthodox things the internet offers. In another life, we were a married pirate-ninja couple (probably).

Ruben Oliver

Lady Alexandra of the Claws will cut a player and still make  everyone a large and intricately crafted dinner later. The mortal example of a spork smithed in the forge of gods, she is all things in life both theatrical and strangely necessary.

Alex Plettenberg

Rescuer and occasional voice of reason amidst chaos and mayhem! Welcomed me into the fold of her family pasta nights. Brittany has patiently been by my side through thick and thin for years without question.

Brittany Borman

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Standard King and Queen rooms are available for $119 on Friday and Saturday under the Larsen/Franzmann block. If you want to come earlier or stay later the rate extends a week both ways!

Radisson Hotel Minneapolis/St. Paul North

There will be a shuttle to the Zoo leading up to the time of the ceremony, and a shuttle to take people back. The last shuttle back to the hotel will be at midnight (Run Cinderella!).

Radisson Hotel Shuttle

We do not have a block here, but they have various rooms and rates while still being close by.

Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel

We do not have a block here, either. But also has various rooms and rates that are close by.

Days Inn St. Paul-Minneapolis-Midway

This option is further away from the venue, but closer to the airport. There is no shuttle service from here, BUT! It is really close to the Mall of America. If that is what you're into....

La Quinta Inn Minneapolis Airport Bloomington

Travel

A hole in the wall with some of the area's most diverse specialty drinks. Conveniently across the street from Louisiana Cafe.Katie likes: A cortado or the Sister Mary (orange mocha)Sarah likes: Any coffee with chocolate, especially white chocolate

Claddagh Coffee

Skip the flea market for the food stalls and exotic fresh produce. Custom-made pho soup at the far left food stall is the best ever (via Katie, who hates pho). The papaya salad can melt your sinuses from a distance.Bride favorites: pork uteri, Hmong sausage, pork belly, chicken feet, purple rice, durian fruit smoothies, canned white gourd juice.

Hmong Village

Beers (the menu is hop-forward) and food very close to the Como Zoo. Indoor and outdoor seating areas with games, children allowed. Daily brewery tours.Brides like: Hell Lager, Coffee Bender Oatmeal Stout, Witch's Tower Session Brown

Surly Brewing Co.

Trails, a big waterfall, seafood eatery, riverfront beaches, dog park trail (in case you need some happy dog time in your day-- no dog required).

Minnehaha Falls

Caverns built into the side of the sandstone bluffs, used as a speakeasy and hangout for mobsters during the Prohibition Era. Check website for various seasonal tours.

Wabasha Street Caves

Maple in your specialty coffee, um, yes. Neat old building and atmosphere next to the Blair Arcade shopping area.

Katie & Sarah

Katie & Sarah

K&S

Rehearsal Party

Wedding Day

7:00 PM

Wedding

Reception

Reception