Our story began in December of 2020 when fate brought us together. We started off with a few dates, but Marissa had made it clear she was only interested in being friends. That didn’t stop Bryce—he was patient, understanding, and happy to just be there for her. We spent countless hours hanging out as friends, and Bryce even took on the responsibility of looking after Marissa’s dog, Hooch, whenever she had to be away. It was during this time that the bond between us grew stronger, built on trust, laughter, and an unspoken connection.

After almost a year of friendship, something shifted. In November of 2021, we took the leap and began dating. It felt like the right time, and we both knew that our friendship had laid the perfect foundation for something more. That same December, we took a trip to Duluth, MN—our first adventure together as a couple. It was a weekend full of exploration, cozy moments, and the kind of memories you hold onto forever.

Our adventures continued into 2022 with a trip to Deadwood in February, where we laughed, explored, and continued to fall in love. In April 2022, we decided to take another big step and adopted a dog together. Clifford, our lovable and goofy companion, quickly became a central part of our lives. By October 2022, we couldn’t resist adding another furry friend to our family—this time, it was Boone, a sweet dog who instantly stole our hearts.

We also made another huge life decision that fall. On October 14, 2022, we bought our first house together and moved in, beginning this new chapter of our lives as a couple. It felt like everything was falling into place.

Then, in January of 2023, we got the most exciting news—Marissa was expecting! Our hearts were overflowing with joy as we looked ahead to the arrival of our little one. And on October 13, 2023, our beautiful son, Everett, was born. Holding him for the first time was nothing short of magical, and we knew our family was complete.

The final chapter of our journey so far came on December 31, 2024, when Bryce proposed to Marissa in the most unexpected way. Bryce had come home early without Marissa knowing and snuck into the garage to let some air out of the tire. As they were headed out for dinner, the car began dinging, signaling low air pressure. Bryce decided to pull over to check it out. He looked at Marissa and said, "We have a flat."

Naturally, Marissa responded with, "Are you serious? We're going to be late for our dinner reservations!" She offered to help, and Bryce agreed. As Marissa walked around to the other side of the car to see what was going on, she was stunned to find Bryce on one knee, holding a ring, and asking her to marry him. Of course, she said yes, and that moment—full of surprise, love, and laughter—was the perfect way to ring in the New Year.

From friendship to parenthood, from travels to creating a home, our story has been one of love, growth, and adventure. We can’t wait to see where the future takes us, hand in hand, with our family by our side.