Maddie and Aaron’s paths first crossed by pure coincidence. Through a dating app, Aaron’s location was pinged as he drove through Maddie’s hometown of Bismarck, ND. He lived three hours away in Glyndon, MN, but they began chatting. Despite Aaron’s persistence, Maddie wasn’t sure it would lead to anything and eventually stopped responding, thinking they were just too far apart to make it work.

A year later, Maddie was moving into her first place in Fargo, ND. While packing up her life, she posted a picture of herself and her friends in their garage, sweaty from the move. Aaron saw the post and reached out to her on Snapchat, teasing her with a message: "Now that you're in Fargo, are you finally going to let me take you on a date?" After some back and forth with her best friend and maid of honor, Anja, Maddie agreed, responding with, "Sure, why not? But you have to plan it."

May 4th, 2021 marked their first date, which ended up being a double date with Taylor (Aaron's best man) and his now-fiancée. Aaron was so nervous that he barely spoke throughout dinner, leaving Maddie and Taylor to chat. But as the night went on, a playful game of bowling brought out Aaron’s true self. Maddie teased Taylor about his bowling skills, and Aaron finally started to open up, laughing and joking with them for the rest of the night.

After that first date, Maddie and Aaron became inseparable. They dove headfirst into each other’s worlds; Maddie introduced Aaron to a world of things he’d never known before—musical theatre soundtracks, spending time with her large and often chaotic family, and jumping into the social scene that Maddie thrives in. In return, Aaron brought Maddie into his world of dirt track racing, snowmobiles, and mechanics, and although she’d never imagined herself in those environments, she embraced them wholeheartedly, always excited to learn. They’ve grown to love the quirks and interests of each other’s lives, and their bond deepened as they discovered how to blend these different worlds together.

As their relationship progressed, so did their shared dreams. A year after their first date, they moved in together, and with that came the arrival of their first dog, Jax—their "firstborn son," as they affectionately called him. That decision symbolized a new chapter in their lives, one that taught them both about responsibility, unconditional love, and the joy of growing a little family together.

Their commitment to each other and to their future became even more evident when they bought their first house in September 2023. It wasn’t just about the house; it was about the life they were building inside it. They also added two new fur babies, Dolly and Maverick, making their home even more complete. Every corner of that house holds memories, laughter, and the promise of a lifetime of adventures.

Aaron and Maddie’s engagement was a true act of secrecy and teamwork. Aaron, along with Maddie’s good friend Megan, had been plotting the perfect proposal behind her back for weeks. Aaron had booked a photoshoot with a photographer, a move that Maddie immediately suspected. Knowing Aaron's reluctance to ever take pictures, Maddie called Megan the moment she found out. “I KNOW he’s going to propose,” she said, certain that the photoshoot was the big hint. Megan, quick to help, immediately relayed the information back to Aaron, who realized Maddie was onto him and needed to change his plan.

A few days later, they traveled to stay with Quinn and Megan for the weekend. Megan casually mentioned she had borrowed a camera from her mom and wanted to test it out, making Maddie think that maybe the photoshoot was just for fun after all. Little did Maddie know, the engagement was still very much on.

On Sunday, December 6th, 2023, Megan and Maddie got up early to start doing their hair for what they assumed was a "test" photoshoot. As they were getting ready, Megan’s phone rang. She suddenly had to dash off to work, but before she left, she told Maddie she wanted to take a quick picture together. She asked Aaron to have Maddie sit on his knee for the shot. As Maddie turned to look at Aaron, she was met with a shaking hand holding the ring box.

Aaron was frozen, unable to get a word out, clearly nervous but excited. Maddie, still not fully realizing what was happening, looked at him and asked, “Are you actually asking me?” With a shaky voice, Aaron finally managed to say, “Will you marry me?” Of course, Maddie said yes, a moment of pure joy and love that neither of them will ever forget.

After the proposal, Megan had to rush off to work, and as if it was all just part of the day, Quinn called minutes later, saying they needed help with the cattle. The couple, newly engaged, spent the rest of the day working together on the farm, their hearts full and their bond stronger than ever.

From the very beginning, Maddie and Aaron have been about growth, both as individuals and as a couple. Their relationship isn’t just built on shared experiences, but on their constant support and encouragement to become better people for one another, their families, and themselves.

They’ve always been each other’s biggest cheerleaders, through the highs and the lows. When challenges arise, they face them as a team, never backing down from a fight—whether it’s something personal or something they have to conquer together. They’ve learned the value of communication, compromise, and patience as they navigate their lives hand-in-hand.

There’s an understanding between them that no matter what life throws their way, they’ll face it with love, humor, and resilience. They’ve come to realize that it’s not just about surviving the challenges—it’s about thriving through them together. Each day, they challenge each other to be better, not out of obligation, but out of genuine care and respect.

And as they continue to navigate their individual growth, they’ve learned that the best version of themselves exists in the space between them, where they can be both partners and best friends. Their relationship isn’t just about finding someone to share life with; it’s about finding someone who helps them become the best version of themselves—someone who pushes them, loves them, and stands by them, no matter what.

Maddie and Aaron have built a life based on trust, loyalty, and mutual respect. With every passing day, they grow more certain that they are exactly where they are meant to be. Together, they’re not just building a life; they’re crafting a love story that will continue to evolve, strengthen, and endure for a lifetime