Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Our story begins 2.5 years before our first date. David and Kristen met on Coffee Meets Bagel (an online dating app) in the spring of 2018. They chatted on the app and exchanged phone numbers. However, after several days of texting and flirting, the conversation fizzled out and neither would rekindle the connection until more than 2 years later. In November of 2020, Kristen rediscovered David on Hinge (another online dating app). She recognized him and swiped right immediately, but played it real cool when he liked her back and began a conversation. They quickly discovered that they had both moved through some important healing and growth over the previous three years (yay therapy!) and agreed it was probably good they had not connected in 2018, as they may not have been prepared to pursue a relationship. Kristen was immediately attracted to David's love for people and devotion to Christ, and David was attracted to Kristen's ability to engage in compassionate intellectual conversation. He also liked that she could spar at his level while playing Among Us with a group of his friends. After a few video dates and phone chats (yay COVID!), they went on their first in-person date: a walk at the Minnehaha Dog Park in Minneapolis. David picked up coffee on his way, marking this day the beginning of Kristens relationship with not only David but with Five Watt as well &lt;3 After a sweet and chilly walk with Kristen's dog, Rosie, David suggested continuing the date with dinner. He picked up takeout from Chimborazo (another beautiful beginning for Kristen) and brought it back to her house, where she then schooled him at Super Smash Bros. on the Switch. Rosie laid her head on David's leg, officially offering her stamp of approval. Several dates later, David asked Kristen to go steady with him. She was quite taken with this turn of phrase and happily agreed. On January 17th, 2021, Kristen and David began going steady. About two weeks into their relationship, Kristen knew, however young and green it might be, that she loved David. But, because it was early, she wanted to give him the space to say it first. And she didn't have to wait long -- on Valentines Day, at home on the couch after a day trip to Hudson and an evening walk on the St. Croix pier, David told Kristen he loved her. They dated for about 6 months before disharmony struck. In July of 2021, Kristen and David broke up. For the first time in her life, Kristen wrote sad, terrible breakup poetry, and she knew something was wrong. During a desperate coffee and walk with David's roommate, John (Wingman Supreme), he asked her to describe why she had broken up with David. When she shared the reasons, John asked, "So you told him these things and he wasn't willing to change them?" Oops. She'd forgotten that part. John's face fell and Kristen knew she had made a grave mistake. The next week, she wrote a long letter detailing her desire to get back together with David as well as what things she would need from him if they did, and she asked him to coffee. They talked for three hours and by the end were tearfully hopeful. Still, they decided to take a week to pray about it and seek wisdom from others. However, two days later, David texted that he didn't want to wait a week -- he was ready to jump in feet first. Over the next six months, they worked hard to pursue emotional honesty with one another and sought counsel/mentorship from others in their individual and shared communities. They began pre-pre-marital counseling with their pastor and his wife in the fall of 2021. They started discussing marriage -- what it means, why it matters, what its purpose is -- and began dreaming about what a marriage and a family could look like together. By January of 2022, David knew he was ready to marry Kristen, but Kristen was still a bit apprehensive. She knew she wanted to marry David, but wasn't sure if she was ready yet. However, it was a conversation with her roommate, Kyrie (Wingwoman Supreme), that swayed her -- a reminder that David had consistently been the antidote to her past need to earn love and that David's love was always freely given, similarly to the love of God. Realizing the truth of this, Kristen told David she was ready to be engaged... and then promptly went and bought a wedding dress. On May 14th, 2022, David planned a hike at Willow River State Park in Hudson, complete with picnic, scenic walk, a dozen sweet pictures &amp; messages from friends hanging in the trees, and a ring presented on one knee at the overlook above the river. He proposed and she said yes :)

Our Story - A Third Person Narrative, But Clearly Kristen Wrote This

Our Story

Photos

Bride's Party

Selah is my little sister and one of my favorite humans to ever walk the earth. She is hilarious and loving and fun, and she sees the creative possibility in everything. She is my heart outside my body.

Selah Wicklund

Kyrie and I met through church and lived together for 6 years until she was married June 2022! She is truly the sweetest, most present and selfless friend you'll ever have. To know her is to know the love and heart of Jesus himself.

Kyrie Her

Elle and I met in college and have known each other for over ten years. Elle is faithful and wise beyond reason. She has been a voice of truth and grounding for me since day 1. And she has also been my very favorite voice to harmonize with.

Elle Duke

Evalyn and I met during college but became close a few years after I graduated. Evie is far and away my cleverest, funniest friend. She is so good at creating spaces of comfort and safety wherever she is.

Evalyn Tjoflat

Jamie is my sister! We grew up separately but now we adult together. She is adaptable and brave and constantly reminds me how to move through the world with confidence. I love learning from her and with her.

Jamie Byrne

Hannah and I met in college and were fast friends. Hannah's encouragement and enterprise spirit have inspired me towards growth for over a decade. She is also the reason I finally stopped straightening my curly hair.

Hannah Tjoflat

Joy and I met through church in 2014. She and her husband and kids are my current roommates. There is no better listener or cheerleader to have on your side than Joy. Her superpower is making everyone feel like the coolest person in the room.

Joy Adams

Libby and I met during my freshman year at UWRF. I searched every photo storehouse I had for a picture of Libby by herself and could not find a single one, which is remarkably appropriate -- because Libby is ever seeking to center others above herself. 

Libby Lay

Lynne moved into my house last June and then moved into my heart about five minutes later. She is the gentlest challenger and the best question-asker. Her parting words whenever we left our house were always, "Love the Lord and love each other!" And she models both so well.

Lynne Stockdale

Megan and I met through David! We've grown close over the last year, spending our Wednesday nights talking about marriage and babies and faith and friendships. I am always learning from her how to show up more fully, authentically, and wholeheartedly.

Megan Johnson

I met Katie when I started attending Waite Park church with David. Katie is witty, talented, servant-hearted, has an eye for design, and is such a good friend. And she brings out my weirds like no one else.

Kristen & David

Kristen & David

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