We’re getting married!

We bet most would be surprised to know we crossed paths at a rodeo we were both working back in 2017 (the Hamel, MN rodeo) - shocking, we know! But what's funny about our story is, that was the extent of meeting. We were introduced to each other that year through a mutual friend, said hello, worked the rodeo and both went our separate ways for about two years. The only interaction we would have was the annual "happy birthday" post on Facebook along with an occasional 'like'. It wasn't until March 2019 when another mutual friend (and groomsman) would help to nudge our relationship along. Both Sylvan and Judd were overseas in Saudi Arabia helping to put on one of the first rodeos in the country, when I (Paige) sent a message to Judd suggesting he let Sylvan know I was interested in getting to know him more.... if Sylvan was interested and open to it. Within 24-hours of the message to Judd, Sylvan had sent me a snapchat message (free when you're overseas) while my mom and I were on our annual girls' weekend in Vegas. The rest is history; we've talked every day since and started dating in June 2019. We managed the long-distance relationship with Sylvan in Montana and me (Paige) in Minnesota until October 2020 when the decision was made that I would pack up Tucker and Dally and move to Great Falls, Montana. In August 2021, Sylvan's coaching career would take us to our current home in Miles City, Montana. A welcomed moved on my part as it would put me six-hours closer to family and a lot less rattle snakes living in town with our three dogs.

During a winter snowstorm and after about a year and a half of feeling the pressure from Paige's family and friends, Sylvan purchased the engagement ring from our local jeweler and proceeded to hide the ring in our guest bathroom for six-months while waiting for the right time to pop the question. (Mind you, this is the same guest bathroom I had deep cleaned twice since he bought the ring and still didn't stumble upon it, including the weekend of our proposal!) Knowing he needed no further permission from mama-bear, an active participant of the heckling, Sylvan proposed on May 29, 2023, before we hit the road for the summer. Here's our story: After a beautiful day spent together riding our horses and fishing, we came home, and I took a shower and Sylvan started dinner. While in the shower, I heard Sylvan come in the bathroom and leave moments later. I thought nothing of it. After my shower I helped Sylvan finish up dinner, where we talked on end about our weekend and plans for the rest of the week, knowing we were both leaving - going different directions - to kickoff off our summer rodeo run. Finally, I decided it was time to blow dry my hair. Much to my shock and surprise, when I went to plug in my blow dyer, there was a ring sitting in a box on the counter. I quickly yelled in excitement and exclamation, asking if it was what I thought it was. Indeed it was and saying "yes" was one of the easiest yeses ever! You may be wondering why I mentioned my shower and Sylvan coming into the bathroom for a quick second. Sylvan was setting the ring on the back of the counter; so far back on the counter that I didn't even notice it when I got out of the shower, so there it sat for 45 minutes while I carried on with my evening. While giving him heck for tucking it so far back and out of the way, Sylvan still to this day reminds me that I need to work on how observant I am.