Back in 2019, both Layca and Jill were accepted into the nursing program at Saint Cloud State University. This is where they first met. Unfortunately COVID happened smack dab in the middle of the program, causing classes and study groups to be moved online. They spent many, many, hours on Zoom, talking, laughing, sharing stories, even pulling out old year books to show each other. In May of 2020, Layca and Jill started their summer of hiking. Layca didn’t think she was going to actually show up, but low and behold, she did! Gooseberry Falls up in Two Harbors, Minnesota was the first stop. They hiked one state park every week for the next couple of months. This is where their connection began and the love started to grow. They became “official” on August 5th. 
For the next three years, Layca and Jill spent every day learning each other, and loving each other. With all the ups and downs this world could throw at them, they just kept getting stronger. Over time, they graduated together, started their careers, bought a house, and adopted a dog, Goose! (Named after our first hike and date!) Coco obviously needed a best friend. 
In July of 2024, Layca and Jill went on their second road trip out to Colorado with his cousin’s family. They spent 5 days enjoying the food, sites, company, and the Rockies. Jill was so convinced that he was going to pop the question on that hike because of their beginning, but she was sadly mistaken. She spent 16 hours the following day driving back to Minnesota trying to hide her disappointment… until she walked into their house at 10 pm after getting home. Layca had her cousins sneak into their house while they were away and set up her fairytale. Jill walked in to rose petals sprinkled all over the walkway and all the way up the stairs. A candle lit walkway lead up to a beautifully lit arch in the living room and a beautiful sign with the words “will you marry me” lit up. He took her hand and bent down on one knee. Surrounded by 56 dozen roses, (yes, 56, Sams Club was cleared out), “Yes” just couldn’t have been said any faster.


We want to take this time to thank each and every one of you for being in our lives and being a part of our story. We can’t wait to share our big day and the start to our forever with you.


Love,
Layca & Jill