It all started back in 2017, when life was simpler and the days seemed longer. We were just teenagers then, navigating the chaos of high school. I didn’t know that the moment we met through mutual friends would be the start of something so life-changing. Jack was just a friend of a friend at first—easy to talk to, always smiling, and somehow always managing to stand out in the room without trying.

Over time, our paths kept crossing. A group hangout here, a shared laugh there, and before we knew it, something deeper started to grow. It wasn’t fireworks at first—it was quieter than that. It was comfort. It was the feeling of home in someone else's presence.

By February 13th, 2020—just a day before Valentine’s Day—we finally decided to call it what it was and officially start dating. It was perfect timing and somehow terrible timing too, because only weeks later, the world shut down. COVID hit, and everything changed. But we didn’t.

Even when everything was uncertain, Jack made sure our connection wasn’t. He’d come over when he could, careful and consistent, finding ways to be close despite the chaos. When restrictions tightened, we spent two whole months maintaining a long-distance relationship—not measured in countries or states, but in neighborhoods and careful distances.

Still, we found a way to make it ours. Late-night drives around the lake became our little escape from reality, our way of pretending the world was normal again. We’d talk for hours, sometimes without saying a word—just listening to music, laughing, and soaking in the quiet moments. Our McDonald’s runs became tradition, comfort food paired with comfort company. There was something magical about those fries at midnight, with the car windows down and the stars above us.

Looking back now, it’s wild to think how far we’ve come—from high school hallways to engagement rings. We’ve grown up together, learned together, and weathered storms we never expected. Through every phase—teenage awkwardness, pandemic panic, and all the quiet milestones in between—our love has only deepened.

Now, as we plan a future together, I can’t help but feel endlessly grateful for the day we met. For the friends who introduced us. For the drives, the late-night chicken nuggets, the long-distance calls. For every single moment that led us to this one.

Here we are—older, wiser, still laughing, and more in love than ever. And this? This is only the beginning

Our story began back in high school. We didn’t know each other personally but met from having similar friend groups. In the beginning we didn’t know that we would become life partners and grow together so well. We went through our ups and downs together and faced them as a team. One of our biggest challenges we faced together was me going off to college 4 plus hours away. It was challenging and we ended up taking a break from each other but we ended up finding our way back to each other and this is where it all began.

We went through a world wide pandemic together struggling to see each other during this time. When the restrictions started getting more and more strict we managed to always talk and see each other whether it was on the phone or sitting outside admiring the stars above. Our late night drives around the lake and getting McDonald’s was always one of our favorite things to do together and each time it was always special. Then we ended up moving to Mankato where Makayla was going to school and our love for each other grew more and more everyday.

We have been on many adventures together from going down to Arizona and Texas, to bringing her up to Duluth her first time making the trip special and the perfect place to ask her to marry me. One of my favorite things about Makayla is how big of a heart she has and how much she supports me while I’m playing hockey. Seeing her in the stands with my other jersey on brings so much joy to me.