In November of 2020, Nate and Maddie crossed paths at the commercial gate of Grand Forks Air Force Base. Little did they know that fate had a quirky sense of humor. They had a few dates that brought them closer together: their first date in Maddie’s dorm room, where they enjoyed a cozy evening. As the holiday approached, their connection deepened, setting the stage for what was to come. But with Thanksgiving plans dashed by COVID, Nate whipped up a Thanksgiving dinner for two—yes, turkey and all! And just to keep the adventure going, he took Maddie to get her wisdom teeth removed the very next day. Nothing says romance like post-surgery oatmeal, right? From that moment on, they were inseparable. When Nate went home for Christmas, Maddie was stuck working, so they celebrated their first Christmas together on New Year’s in Fargo. Nate gifted Maddie the ultimate present: a soundbar. Why? Because nothing says “I love you” like better audio quality, especially when your TV speakers sound like they’re underwater. Fast forward to January 4, 2021, when, after an evening of hanging out at Nate’s apartment, he casually turned to Maddie and asked, “So, are you my girlfriend?” And just like that, their love story was officially underway. Over the next year, they explored Nate’s favorite spots in Minnesota and bravely met each other’s families. In January 2022, they decided to adopt a dog, and that’s when Piper—the broken blue heeler border collie mix—entered the scene. Piper came with her own set of challenges, as she was more of a whirlwind than a puppy. While Maddie shouldered most of the responsibility (Nate would swoop in for dog-sitting duty), they eventually helped Piper transform from “Horrible” to “Kind of Normal.” To give Piper a two-parent home, they moved into a townhouse in Grand Forks, ND, just in time for some major life milestones. In a twist of fate, Nate graduated college, and Maddie got out of the military on the same day. Clearly, the universe was sending them a sign! To celebrate Nate’s graduation, they took a trip to Destin, Florida, where Nate pulled a fast one by proposing—after he swore he wouldn’t until 2025! Surprise! And here they are, happily engaged and over the moon, excited to celebrate their big day with all of you. So grab your dancing shoes and get ready to party, because this love story is just getting started!