We Do!

Lucky for me, Mike sent me a quick message on an dating app just before Christmas 2014. I knew he was a keeper when he asked about Gatsby and didn't say anything weird or creepy! It's hard to imagine that as a bar for excellence, but let me tell you about some of these online WEIRDOS, oy! We met for our first date at a pub in Denver and the time just flew! I remember glancing at my phone, realizing it was 11pm on a work night and thinking "oh, man! But I'm having so much fun!" The next morning, Mike sent me a text message... "is it crazy if I want to see you again already?". I gave him the honest answer -- "Yep, that's crazy, but I'd like to see you, too!". That night we saw a movie and the night after that? We went out for sushi and I got to meet good ole Dukey... And, well, here we are! -- Kate When I first met Kate, I was a software engineer living and working in downtown Denver. Now, if you've never been to downtown Denver, it's chock-full of good-looking 20-somethings. How hard could it have been for me to meet a good looking girl with a personality to match? It would've been like shooting fish in a barrel, except it's me. I'm terrible at it! At that point in my life, I was also being picky and I was ready for something real and lasting. So I hopped on OKCupid and went on a few dates. I met some nice women, just not the right ones for me. Then I saw Kate. Her profile was actually interesting, she sounded smart, she had a cool dog and damn, she was beautiful! "Alright, think of something less dumb than every other thing you've ever said to a girl." So I asked about her dog! We chatted and agreed to go on a date. We met at Bull and Bush, a great English pub in Denver, enjoyed a few beers, and had some great conversation. I could tell it was something special. We went on two more dates in as many more days: sushi and then a movie. I kissed her that night, after the movie, as we joked about how terrible of a date movie it was. The rest is history! -- Mike

Mike suggested that we take the dogs up to the North shore for a visit to Split Rock lighthouse and some swimming in Lake Superior, so we hopped in the truck and started out. We left the pups in the (airconditioned!) truck and took a stroll up to the top of the lighthouse. He asked, I answered, we cried! I wanted to suspect that it might be coming, but Mike did a great job of confusing the heck out of me, so I was truly surprised!We had just a few seconds to soak it all in before another couple made their way up the stairs and we headed out to face the world as an engaged couple! The rest of the day was just as lovely, taking the dogs for a hike and a swim in Lake Superior. It was just a perfect day! -- Kate Kate is smart. I had to be sneaky about this. I'm not a liar, but I totally had to lie (multiple times) about getting the ring, like "Darryn and I are going to look at boats" and "I'm going to run to MicroCenter for some nerd stuff for work". I couldn't plan anything elaborate because the moment I sprung it on her or she saw me over-preparing for what she thought was happening, I'd be toast. So I planted seeds. I casually suggested we head up to the North Shore over the coming weekend and check out Split Rock Lighthouse- we hadn't gone on any adventures since getting to Minnesota! That weekend, we loaded up the truck with a cooler and the boys (fur children), then headed north. Before leaving, I suggested we go look at rings one of these days at a jeweler near home. When we got to the lighthouse, I paid and opted us out of the tour (duh) while she went pee (also duh). We meandered around the grounds, snapping pictures and checking out cool historical stuff, until I noticed the lighthouse was empty. "Oh look, let's scoot into the lighthouse before the next tour group crowds us out!" So we climbed the narrow spiral stairs to the top, waited for another couple to head back down, and then admired the beautiful views- the lighthouse is perched top a huge cliff overlooking the coast of Lake Superior. As we were about to head back down, I got down on one knee, pulled the ring from my pocket, and asked her to marry me! -- Mike