Like many Midwest love stories, Sterling and Carly’s began at a bar in downtown Minnesota. It all started when Sterling noticed Carly’s fondness for Fireball shots and decided to strike up a conversation by mentioning how much his brother, Sean, enjoyed the same drink. That casual chat led to them swapping numbers and agreeing to meet up the following week at Surly Brewing Company for their first official date.

At Surly, Sterling tried plotting his exit a few times since Carly seemed extremely tired from work. However, every time he thought about leaving, Carly would start a new conversation, keeping the night going. The shift in energy came when Carly casually asked, “Have you ever watched Lizzo’s TikToks?” The next two hours were filled with laughter and enjoyment as they bonded over some of the best TikTok content they’d ever seen.  Their adventure continued that same evening with a stop at a small bar near the Xcel Energy Center. There, they spent the next few hours people-watching as they observed the crowd returning from a Rick Astley concert.  Eventually, they said their goodbyes, making plans for a mini-golf date next.

Carly got a taste of Sterling’s dry sense of humor on that very date when he called five minutes before mini-golf to tell her he wasn’t going to make it even though she had been waiting for ten minutes already. But, of course, a few minutes later, he pulled up with a big grin and said, “Just kidding!” On their third date, Sterling brough Carly to a movie with his two brothers, Sean and Steve, and Steve’s wife, Marissa.

More dates followed. Carly met Sterling’s golden retriever, Rupert, and Sterling met Carly’s coworkers, parents, and friends. As the months passed, they built a beautiful collection of memories together. Then, in the winter of 2022, life threw them a curveball when Sterling was in a serious car accident, leaving him without a vehicle. Carly stepped in, picking Sterling up early each day to drive him to work—until, not long after, Carly herself got into an accident while driving him. The cold winters of Minnesota began to take their toll, and together, they started dreaming of warmer days.

Carly invited Sterling to join her in Arizona to celebrate her birthday and visit her parents. After enjoying a mix of desert adventures and a ride through Scottsdale, it became clear: the desert was where they wanted to be. Soon after returning to Minnesota, they began plotting their escape. Carly found a marketing job, and Sterling secured a remote sales position.  Just a few months later, they were packing up two fully loaded cars and hitting the road for Arizona. They made two long drives from Minnesota to Arizona, and after a grueling August move-in during 120° heat, they were finally settled.  However, the settlement didn’t last and the unexpected hit once again: Sterling was laid off, and Carly found herself unhappy at her job. But once again, luck was on their side. Sterling found a new job as an outside sales rep, and Carly switched to a more supportive company.

A few months later, Sterling knew it was time to take the next step. Carly had already shown him the ring she wanted, so they made the trip to Los Angeles to have it sized and bring it home. While in California, they spent the weekend enjoying a concert and soaking up the sun at the beach. Then, in March of 2024, Sterling proposed on the very hiking trail they had first explored together in Arizona. Both their parents were there to witness the joy, making it a moment they would never forget.

In the year that followed, they added a new member to the family—Winston, a Maltipoo—and traded the hustle of Scottsdale for the peaceful desert landscapes of Peoria. They furnished their home, attended sporting events, met new friends and made even more memories together.

Now, as they look ahead, the next chapter is filled with excitement, love, and the promise of forever. In a few short months, they’ll walk down the aisle, forever grateful for the journey that brought them here, knowing that the best is yet to come.