Jesse had recently moved to La Crosse from Stevens Point in the fall of 2020 on a hunt for something new. In January 2021, we met with a little help from our friend Amanda. We talked for weeks and weeks. Discussing memories, wishes for the future, and of course our favorite things (food, songs, adventures, and of course, our pets). We quickly realized that what we had was special. From our first date to engagement, we have been all in on supporting each other. Through thick and thin, we continue to grow together and create memories that we will cherish for a lifetime.

We booked a vacation to Franklin, TN in early June. We packed the car and drove 12 hours down with our dog Niko (the best boy). We listened to books, sang and danced to music, and discussed the things we were looking forward to on our trip. When we arrived, we made sure to take in the city and explore. We went kayaking on the Harpeth river, had delicious food, Jesse drank his fill of southern sweet tea, and we toured the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens. During our tour, we strolled through different flower gardens and came across a stone veranda overlooking the estate. The arches were covered in greenery and there were lush flowers and small fountains around us. I was hoping to get some amazing photos. I began fumbling through my bag for my phone and I turned around to see Jesse down on his knee. Tears rushed down my face as I realized what was happening. This was it! The moment we have been waiting for! I said yes! After composing ourselves, we continued walking through the estate. We called our family and friends to share our news.