We have known each other and gone to school together our whole lives- we even rode the same bus in kindergarten! We first started talking and became friends the summer before our first year of high school.

We officially started dating on August 14th, 2018, the summer before our junior year of high school. We spent the last two years of high school together and after graduation, we both attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Payton did the year-round campus and received her nursing degree while Blake received his respiratory therapy degree. We moved back to Detroit Lakes in May 2024.

Blake proposed on May 25, 2024 in Solomon's Island, MD. We were on vacation with our friend, Genevieve, when Blake popped the question. It was the most epic surprise for Payton!