Mel and Brian started dating (the first time) during our freshman year of college at Millikin University. We broke up after only a few months, but don't worry... we get back together

We started dating for the second time during the pandemic. Melanie was living at home in Illinois, while Brian had moved out to Minneapolis. We had our first date via Zoom, and it lasted nearly 6 hours. We haven't stopped talking since that day.

Our first real life date! Brian flew to Illinois and we spent the weekend at Starved Rock.

Melanie visited Minnesota for the first time, and loved it so much that...

we decided to move in together!

Our first apartment together in St. Paul

Big thanks to Devon and Aidan for letting us crash with them and helping us get settled in St. Paul

Our parents all together in Minnesota

The first of many trips to Michigan! We both have such great memories here from our childhood, and are excited to make many more in this place we both love so much.

Our first Christmas together

Celebrating Brian's birthday

Celebrating Melanie's birthday

While on vacation in Michigan a little kitty stumbled into our lives...

...only a few days after taking Finnegan home, we learned that he was very sick. We had to make the decision to put him down...

...at the same time, Brian decided to propose, using the ring that his dad proposed to his mom with, made out of a coat hanger and some yarn...

...I love you in the good moments, and in the bad, he said...

...and we are engaged!

We adopted Finneas and Ferb

and

became

obsessed

We moved back to Illinois, and celebrated our engagement with family and friends

...and can't wait to get married this year!