What started as a modern love story, meeting through a dating app, led to a much deeper, lifelong connection. Jayson reached out to Natalie having noticed their shared love of running. Thinking they were around the same pace, Jayson was delightfully surprised when Natalie finished several minutes before him in the Twin Cities 10 mile!

They met for their first date, a walk at Lake Phalen on a cool and windy November day, both bringing their favorite hot beverage (tea for Natalie and coffee for Jayson). What started as a getting-to-know-you-5K loop, quickly went a lot deeper as the two grabbed refills of their beverages and sat on a bench overlooking the lake to continue their chat, even sharing about both of their recent family losses—not a typical first date conversation!

From then on, the two continued their deep connection and love of doing activities together on a variety of fun adventure dates, including mini golf at Can Can Wonderland; ax throwing and arcade games at The Burrow; winter fireworks at Holidazzle; luminary nature hikes; exploring an ice maze; bouldering at Minneapolis Bouldering Project; and more!

Jayson invited Natalie to join him at his local Parkrun group in Cottage Grove, and the two continued to enjoy participating in many runs with the group and other local Parkrun groups. They have also done several other races together, including the Goldys 10 Mile, Brave Like Gabe 5K, and a Turkey Trot 5K in Florida. They even went on a trip to Portland and Seattle to run the Jack and Jill Downhill Half Marathon and Marathon together!

Just like it all started, the next chapter of their story began with a walk around another favorite neighborhood park, Snail Lake Regional Park. They embraced their usual adventurous spirit and took an unpaved trail into the woods and found a little hut made of twigs. While goofing around and taking photos, Jayson surprised Natalie and said, "Take a photo of me!" Then he got down on one knee and took out an engagement ring and asked Natalie to marry him. In shock, she attempted to confirm/validate his proposal for a second before happily and excitedly saying, "Yes!"

The rest is history in the making!