December 5, 2019: I first witnessed the beauty and grace that is Madison Werner while out having drinks with friends. One of our mutual friends, Jordan, mentioned that another girl was going to stop by and have a drink. When this friend (AKA Maddy) walked in I could tell she was different when she ordered her first drink. Champagne at 8 PM? Who does that? Unfortunately she only stayed for the one drink and was gone just like that.

June 25, 2020: Madison and I were invited on the same party bus in Omaha. The night started off by going to La Mesa and I remember trying so hard to sit by Maddy at dinner, but unfortunately did not succeed. However, as the night continued we really started to hit it off . The turning point of the night was when we stopped at a bar called Bushwackers. We were both standing at the bar when Maddy said "Why are we paying for drinks when we have free drinks on the bus?" I agreed and the two of us snuck off to the bus and shared a bottle of Malibu. At the last stop of the night, T. Henery's bar, we ended up playing darts together. With boosted confidence from the booze I asked Maddy to make the game more interesting; if I win, I get her phone number and if she wins I buy her a drink. Long story short, I end up winning because I'm such a dominant dart player. She honors the bet and gives me her number. Maddy doesn't like to lose so we play again, but this time we wager a real date. I end up winning that game too and end the night feeling victorious!

June 26, 2020: I text Maddy for the first time, but do not receive a response.

June 27, 2020: I text Maddy again still hoping for an answer, but again do not receive a response.

June 30, 2020: I get a gut feeling that Maddy may have given me the wrong number but I wasn't sure if it was on purpose. I look up the area code and realize the number I have is for a West Virginia number. Remembering that Maddy had said she was from MN, I decide to swallow my pride and reach out to our mutual friend, Jordan, asking for Maddy's actual number. After getting the right number, I FINALLY get a response!

July 11, 2020: We go on our first date (that I won)! Maddy chooses Blue Sushi. I wasn't really nervous about the date itself, but about using the chopsticks. Knowing she had lived in Singapore and was a master with chopsticks, I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of her...Rudd, Iowa doesn't have many restaurants that require the use of chopsticks.

April 24, 2021: The first "I love you" is said (by me). I know what you're thinking...took long enough! Luckily, she said it back.

June 3, 2022: Maddy and I are in Turks and Caicos to celebrate my birthday and enjoy our last weeks before the medical school life begins. I knew I was going to propose all day, but was waiting for the right time. Maddy had planned a dinner on the beach for my birthday dinner, so I decided to piggy back off of that so she wouldn't see it coming. At the end of dinner, I pretended to go to the bathroom and told the waiter my plan so he could record it. A few minutes later, I got down on one knee and started the speech I had been rehearsing for the last week. Halfway through my speech, Maddy says "Wait, are you serious?!" She then immediately started crying. As I continue my speech, she continues crying and I start to get a little nervous she might say no. Luckily for me, she says yes! About 10 seconds later, she looks at me and says "Wait, you asked my dad right...?". I told her of course I had and then she asked me to repeat my speech because she couldn't remember what I had said because of all her crying. Moral of the story, it doesn't really matter what you say when you propose as long as you ask her dad for permission!

June 22, 2024: A lifetime of happiness begins with my wife!

M&S

Ceremony

Reception