It was October 10th, 2011 when Katie and I first met... just kidding, I don't recall the exact date, but if I had to choose an arbitrary date, why not right? It was sometime early Fall, when Ultimate Frisbee practice started. It was my second year at NMU and Katie's first year. I joined the team with my good friend, and groomsman, Dan Croney. I loved it so much I decided to play throughout my college career - and it was through this club where Katie and I got to know each other. The first year we didn't have much contact or really even talk to one another as Katie didn't make it to very many tournaments. But move ahead a year and things began to change- it was the first year we had enough ladies to join the club team and they eventually were able to split apart into their own team! Well, one of those ladies stood out to me...but even then we mostly remained friends. We did however go on a few dates, but nothing seemed to blossom fully. Fast-forward a few years of getting to know each other- through travelling for tournaments and numerous team 'festivities', etc.- Katie and I were around each other a lot, yet still we remained friends. It was my last summer in Marquette and I happened to run into Katie, Abby, and Norm, just a week after hearing I was hired as a Forensic Science in St. Paul, MN! Little did I know - Norm got a job in St. Paul too and all three of them were moving there a month before I was. I was stoked! I would actually know some people in a new city, where I knew no one. Well, you can guess where this goes, but after almost a year or so of hanging out in the Twin Cities together, the relationship grew stronger and very much more serious - I'd like to give a special shout-out to Kendra and Norm for being somewhat of catalysts to 'Us'. I knew after about our second date that this was the woman for me and slowly saved up for a ring. Now I am getting married to the love of my life and I couldn't be happier with the lives ahead of us!

We had been talking for a while about finding time to go back up to Marquette, but it was not looking good. The week before, what we now call the weekend we got engaged, I was suddenly given the weekend off. I remember rushing home to surprise him with the good news- little did I know he had a surprise of his own. It was finally time to leave, we had the car packed and our puppy Kimber and I were beyond excited! For anyone who knows me when I get excited I want to talk - A LOT, which is exactly what I did. Travis on the other hand was quiet, even more than usual and the whole 6.5 hour drive up north, I thought he was mad at me. I continually asked him what was wrong, his response was always "Nothing's wrong, I am just tired." We finally made it and Travis suggested going on a hike. I was surprised as he had been saying he was tired, but being the quick thinker that he is, Travis says "Kimber would benefit from a hike after being in a car for so long", There were many of our favorite places to choose from for our hike. All the marked places, like Sugarloaf, were almost always crowded, so Travis decided he wanted to find a "mountain" he used to hike back in college. This was an unmarked trail and usually quiet. I thought nothing of this decision, because Travis quickly said "Kimber would do better off leash without people around". Now it has been 5 years since he has hiked this hill so trees had fallen down over the path, and the grass was overgrown - I thought "Where is he taking me". Of course we eventually made it to the top - to see nothing but Beautiful fall colors! Overlooking Lake Superior - Travis took my hands and started to express how much he loved me. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him - I must have been in shock because I didn't answer right away, which I am sure made his heart skip a beat. I quickly realized the question being asked and said "YES" of course with tears in my eyes.