On December 31st, 2018, we both thought that we were getting to ring in yet another new year. Little did we know that we would meet and start the rest of our forever.

We met at a New Years Eve party ringing in 2019. We only spoke for a moment, only exchanging names. The next day Ritessh reached out to Heather to wish her a happy new year and to see how she enjoyed her night. Slid right into the DMs. He asked her if she had any plans, and their first date was set. They met at his apartment in Polaris. He had just moved in days before and his furniture had not yet arrived, so he quickly told Heather that he "was not a squatter." From there, seeing as he needed a new couch he asked if they could go look at some. As they walked around the furniture store, they held hands and had simple conversation. After the plan was dinner and the movies. Seeing as it was New Years Day, nothing was open. They settled on Skyline, and then went to see the movie The Upside. Before the movie Ritessh paused outside the theater and bathrooms and he and Heather shared their first kiss. They enjoyed their movie and returned to Ritesh's apartment, where they talked for hours. That was it. They both knew that they had met someone special.

As time moved forward, they met up often and spent all the time they could together. By the end of the summer, they were living together. Ritessh, Heather, Zeus, Cooper and Bella. The start of their own little family.

In November they started planning for the holidays and their future. Marriage had been talked about and pictures of rings were looked at. Heather thought this was still far in the future, but Ritessh had other plans. He knew this was the one he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. So, at Heather's birthday celebration he asked her mom, dad, stepmom, sister, brother-in-law, and even her niece if he could marry her. They all excitedly said yes and gave their blessings.

Later that week as Thanksgiving approached Ritessh took a phone call out on the balcony, and said he was planning on purposing to Heather at her family's thanksgiving dinner. Heather was sitting on the couch just a couple feet away, and even with the sliding door closed, she heard every word. She was filled with so much love and joy, but also thought to herself that she would have to act surprised when he asked. She hoped she would be able to do it. Lucky for her plans changed and it was a total surprise she never saw coming.

After a dinner date out, just a couple days after the overheard proposal plans, on November 23rd, 2019, they came home like any other night. Heather was in her frumpy pjs, hair wet from the shower and Tessh said he had a video, a late birthday gift. As the video played it was a compellation of videos he had taken throughout that year, and the time they had spent together. Then at the end a familiar face, that of her cousin Autumn, came on the screen. She said beautiful things about how happy Heather was and how it was clear that she had found the one. Heather then knew this was no birthday video. Just then the video ends and she turned and Ritessh is on one knee. He asks a tear-filled Heather to spend the rest of her life with him and she, though the tears said YES! She was so overjoyed that he had to ask her to look at the ring.

After that life went by and soon, they found a house for rent. Thier first house together. For three years this was their home. Where they spent the pandemic and gained two new members of their family: two dogs, Daisy and Nora. The house was filling up quickly it seemed and now they had set a date to be married. October 26th, 2024. This would give them a couple years to plan and to find a house of their own to buy.

In January 2022 they signed paperwork to have their home built. Then on November 23rd, 2022, exactly three years after becoming an engaged couple, they moved into their home. This was the first house either of them had purchased and they did it together.

Through holidays and celebrations, and even losses Ritessh and Heather grew their bond and love for one another. Ritessh decided to go into business for himself and bought into a franchise with his parents as partners. They were now Garage Force of Columbus NE. Later this would become Heather's new occupation as well when circumstances pulled her to have more time with family and away from teaching. Ritessh was the biggest support when Heather lost her grandmother, and they were both there for one another when they had to say goodbye to their sweet boy Zeus.

Through it all they clung to the home, business, love and life they had created. As they embark on this new chapter, they will always remember the roots at which their life together was built. However, without the love and support from their families, they would not be the same. All of the love from parents and family are what brings them to this celebration. The merging of two families with the marriage of Ritessh and Heather.

It is with so much joy and excitement that they ask you to join them on this day, to be a part of this next wonderful chapter. Come enjoy and celebrate in their love.

We can't wait to see you all there on October 26th, 2024, at Irongate Equestrian Center as we become husband and wife!!!

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