Maddy popped up as Erikas' top match and he didn't know what else to do than send her heart eye emoji's. Thankfully, Maddy accepted the invite from Erikas. We talked over the app for a couple of weeks before Erikas found the courage to ask Maddy for her number. After a weekend or two of text messages back and forth Erikas decided to meet Maddy out with "a couple of friends." Little did he know he was going to get a text from Maddy right before walking into Who's on Third in Milwaukee that Maddy wasn't with just a couple friends... She was with all 3 sisters!!! As Erikas walked through the bar looking for Maddy he awkwardly went up to Maddy's sister Kelsey asking if she was Maddy. Kelsey laughed and said “I think I know who you are looking for.” Out from the bathroom came Maddy and we hit it off right away as we enjoyed the night life in Milwaukee. It didn't take long for Erikas to realize how much Maddy's family meant to her, and seeing that, he knew she was someone truly special– the kind of person he could imagine spending his life with.

We both knew there was something special between us and continued to go on dates to Bucks games, Wisconsin fish fry's and slowly getting introduced to one another's friend groups. A couple months after being together we took our first vacation with our friends to Fort Lauderdale. Although that trip was a blast, Maddy had to cut the trip short to head home so she could start her first travel nursing assignment in Minnesota. Erikas thought, huh I met this girl and then two months later she's sick and tired of me that she needs to move 5 hours away. That was far from the truth. If anything it grew our relationship stronger and taught us to make the most of our time together whether it was Erikas going to visit Maddy in Minnesota and explore new places or when she would come home for the weekend. Fortunately for both of us that was Maddy’s only out of state travel assignment.

So what happened next? Boy did we move a long quick. While Maddy was working in Minnesota, Erikas and his friend’s lease was coming up and we thought this might be a good time for us to take the next step, living in an apartment together! That was the best decision the both of us ever made! We went to many festivals in Milwaukee, celebrated a lot of couples weddings, attended Packers, Brewers, and Bucks games and took small weekend trips with friends and family. Erikas got to experience his first all inclusive vacation on a trip to Punta Cana where he spent an entire week with the Micech family and friends.. Anyone who knows the Micech's, that's A LOT. The week was everything we could have wished for and many memories were made!

After a couple years in our apartment in Milwaukee we knew it was time to take the next big step, buying a house! For anyone who knows Maddy, she isn't always the most decisive person, so let's just say we looked at every house within a 45 minute drive from Milwaukee. We bought our first home in Sussex and have loved every second of it!

Then came the big question from everyone. So when are you going to propose, Erikas? I can't tell you how many times I was asked that. After a few months of living in our house Maddy was on a girls trip to Nashville and then to Louisville which allowed Erikas plenty of time to pick out the perfect ring. After hiding the engagement ring in a pair of cowboy boots in a closet for a couple months the day came! Erikas was a wreck that day, while Maddy had no idea what she was going to be asked later that day. I took Maddy somewhere I thought would be memorable as we started this new life near Pewaukee lake. After a few minutes of nervousness, Erikas’ voice was shaky and his hands sweaty, as he asked Maddy to spend the rest of her life with him. Maddy said yes!

One of Maddy's wishes when moving into our house was to expand our family and bring home our four legged furry friend. We are now a family of three with Wallen being added to the mix!

We can not wait to spend our special day with all of our friends and family! We love you all with our whole hearts and are beyond excited for this next chapter in our lives!