We're skipping Day 2. That day, we went straight to the polarizing stuff; like politics, religion, and human rights. We were both dating for marriage, so why invest time if those topics could ultimately separate us?

Having aligned on those things, we spent Day 3 bonding over our shared interests and flirting.

For context, Morgan is referencing Nate, agreeing to teach her firearm safety and how to fire a gun (he's a gunsmith by training and comes from a hunting/stewards-of-the-land family).

Nate got to planning, and we were giddy like teenagers.

Nate was so excited. He'd never had a date suggest going to the shooting range before!

This was Morgan's target using a 9mm at the range. Nate was an excellent teacher. He and his family are all about gun safety and responsible ownership. But it didn't hurt that Morgan was a natural. In fact, Nate was so impressed by her accuracy during her first time shooting that he later bragged to his folks about it!

After the range, we went out for Peruvian food. There, we shared a really wonderful time dining and having engaging conversations.

Later that night, Nate got home and reflected on their date - there was something really special about Morgan. He decided to delete all of his dating apps.

Things just happened to line up with the next time we could see each other. Morgan had previously planned a photoshoot where Nate, Madison, and Madison's partner lived. We agreed that would be our second date!


Fun fact:
Morgan had recently sustained injuries to her arms that left open wounds. She couldn't bandage or tend to her wounds herself.


Enter Nate. Fortunately, he had medical training in the Army and is a first responder at work. He tenderly and calmly cleaned and bandaged her wounds multiple times during the weekend.

They bonded over blood.

His gentleness, empathy, and humor - and not being grossed out by medical stuff - left Morgan wondering if he was "the one."

We thought all of our medical family and friends would especially appreciate this milestone and the reasons behind it!

Morgan had always wanted to take Stella up north. Not being able to drive, though, made that dream unlikely.

So, two months later, for her birthday, Nate booked a small cabin near Itasca State Park and took Morgan and Stella. She was deeply touched by his thoughtfulness!

Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, they were experiencing COVID symptoms. They made the best of it and hiked when they could. But most of the time, they needed to spend in the cabin.

Remember, we're two months into the relationship. In a four-room cabin with virtually no soundproofing and all of the sounds, smells, and vulnerability that come with COVID.

Nate held Morgan's hair back. She brought him cool cloths. Three days later, they drove home, sick and tired, only to quarantine with each other for another two weeks.

Talk about testing the relationship! But it was over those weeks that Morgan realized two things:

1) They suffer well together (a quality Morgan deeply values)

2) She was falling in love

During those weeks, Nate had his own epiphanes. He, too, was falling in love. And despite being sicker than a dog, he really cherished that time with Morgan - and still does!

Nate was really starting to earn Morgan's heart and the hearts of her fur family! (Bribery may or may not have been involved)

He was spending every Friday through Sunday at Morgan's house, driving from Pine City to Edina - so plenty of time to get to know each other and test what living together would be like.

When we weren't together, we were talking and texting daily. And things just kept getting better.

...and what better time than Christmas! Nate had already met Morgan's parents - but only during brief encounters - and it was his first time meeting V.

Nate was a bit nervous to meet Morgan's immediate family. We were hoping he'd get to meet everyone this time, but sadly, only V, Scott, and Vicki could make it because, well, COVID. But we had a blast nonetheless, and Nate's anxiety went away as the festivities began. Of course, Morgan's family predictably adopted Nate immediately.

...so Morgan was introduced to - and spent the weekend with - Nate's parents, his brother Ben, and his sister-in-law Bobbi, near Brainerd.

Morgan was so nervous! Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Morgan and Stephanie are much closer in age than Nate and Morgan. But she didn't need to worry. As long as Stephanie's boy was happy, that's all that mattered. And they all made Morgan feel like she was family.

After our initial introduction and dinner at the Landing restaurant, Steph and Morgan bonded over Gen X culture. While they were busy, Ben pulled Nate aside and said something to the effect of "Hey buddy, she's the one."

It was time to meet more of Nate's family, including his Grandpa Ron and Grandma Kathy, as well as his aunt and uncles, Kris, Rick, and Paul. Nate was really excited for Morgan to meet his grandparents, who played a huge part in his life. Again, Morgan was nervous, but everyone greeted her with hugs.

Table dancing ensued. Because, of course, it did.

After Morgan and Nate left, Adam looked at his parents and said, "Is he for real?" validating what Morgan already knew: Nate's a unicorn.

Morgan and Nate had moved in together and were celebrating their one year anniversary on the UP in Michigan with Stella. A glorious trip that solidified their love for each other. To this day, it was one of the best road trips Nate had taken, and he's so glad that they could share the experience together.

We had many more adventurous dates by the time Morgan's next birthday rolled around again.

Hiking weekly in regional parks with Stella; attending concerts at our favorite venue, the Dakota (Nate had no idea what a jazz club would be like - turns out he loves it!); daily walks around the neighborhood; indulging in our foodie urges at local restaurants; even running errands together became dates because we just enjoyed each other so much!

And then there was this magical night. Nate has a habit of making Morgan's dreams come true, just by being himself. But this night was particularly special. For her birthday, Nate took Morgan to the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) gala - an event Morgan had always wanted to attend.

Nate had never attended anything like this, something so fancy. They dressed to the nines, ate, drank, danced, and laughed amongst the backlit paintings and sculptures. It was spectacular. Not long after, Morgan and Nate started talking marriage.

This time, it was meeting his cousin Erin and aunt Jeanee over classic burgers, onion rings, and malts at Snuffy's, Morgan's grandma's favorite diner. Nate had no doubts that everyone would get along famously. Erin and Morgan became instant friends, bonding over Gen X and honey mustard sauce.

A momentous occasion for many reasons. A beautiful four day event in Austin, TX celebrating Sam and Anna's love for each other. A chance for Morgan to meet Nate's other siblings and their spouses as well as Steve's extended family and friends. The first time we flew together as a couple - always a good litmus test for a relationship. We passed with "flying" colors.

July 25, 2025 Morgan's Love brought more magic to her life: Nate "officially" proposed at Split Rock Lighthouse using her Grandma Berg's engagement ring.

He was so nervous that his hands fumbled trying to get the ring out of its velvet bag. Graciously, Morgan looked away and pretended to be distracted. But eventually he succeeded: He got down on one knee and asked Morgan to spend the rest of her life with him. Of course, she said yes to love of her life. Neither one of them can imagine life without the other!

They then drove further north, past Ely to Bear Head Lake campgrounds for a magical night of camping - complete with star-filled skies, a chorus of birds singing, a can of mosquito and tick spray that they used up in the first hour, black bean burgers cooked over a fire with chimichuri sauce, and a crowded but comfortable Outback for all of them to sleep in.

We say "officially" proposed because, in truth, they had already talked about this.

True to form for them, they did things a little differently. They agreed many months back they wanted to get married. Nate, being the romantic he is, wanted to wait until their anniversary to propose. Morgan, being the planner, knew that if they waited until then to start planning, everything would be booked (they knew exactly when they wanted to jump the broom).

So they started planning, and re-planning, and re-planning, and eventually landed on a plan and booked about 70% of it (the big stuff).

So Morgan knew (and yes, she cried even though she's not a crier and already knew). And their immediate family knew as well as a few chosen family. They knew when. They knew it was going to be up North. They knew they were using her Grandma's ring. They knew they were camping with Stella. But only Nate knew where specifically and how.

And it was perfect and mostly private. The exception to privacy being a family who rounded the corner right after Morgan accepted. She asked the mother if she'd take some pictures with her phone. The mother excitedly obliged ("OMG!!! Just now? And we're the first to know?!").

The woman then suddenly remembered her husband, serendipitously, was a professional photographer, and he was there with his equipment. He offered to take these first few photos at the Lighthouse for them and emailed the photos to them that night. More perfection.

Matt Knisely and his wife will forever be remembered in their story as the kind strangers who captured this beautiful moment for them. So will the thoughtful attendant at the Lighthouse who, when she learned they just got engaged, gave them this sweet little momento card and magnet.