Emily and Brandon graduated from Eagan High School as nothing more than acquaintances. During Emily’s last weekend at The University of North Dakota, the two wound up at the same bar with mutual friends. It didn’t take long after graduation for Emily and Brandon to connect and exchange numbers. Within a couple weeks, Brandon asked Emily to be his girlfriend at the Cherokee Tavern in Saint Paul. Over the next six years, Emily and Brandon have turned their Apple Valley house into a home, rescued a senior cat, Ringo, been deeply involved with softball, and have been known to enjoy a “Grape Ape” or two (sorry, family and friends lol!) On Friday, May 20, 2022, Emily and Brandon celebrated five years together at the Minnesota Zoo and dinner at The Nook in Saint Paul. As dinner finished at The Nook, Brandon asked Emily if she would like to write a message on a dollar to tape on the establishment’s basement wall. Brandon began by having Emily write the date (Emily wrote the incorrect year lol) and their names. Brandon then prompted Emily to write “Just engaged”. As this message registered in Emily’s head, she looked up to find Brandon taking a knee asking a simple, yet exciting four-worded question: “Will you marry me?” Between confusion, realization, and sobbing, Emily never got out a “yes”, but she did eventually say “yes” for certain! The night concluded at Wabasha Brewery with their family and friends in the “know”. Emily and Brandon are incredibly excited to celebrate their love with the people they love most.