It’s the typical story – guy meets girl and then it takes 8 years for him to ask her on a date. Well, like all great love stories that can be binge watched on Netflix during a pandemic, it’s not that simple. The year was 2010 and both the Nebraska and Wisconsin alumni groups gathered at Tracey’s Irish Pub in the Garden District of New Orleans to cheer on their respective shades of red. It was in that Sea of Red that Adam and McKensie first met. As the Nebraska girls appeared to be much better company, Adam moseyed on over to the Cornhuskers where mutual friends would lead to their first meeting. Their long text history is well documented but often debated. Who really made the first move and whose fault was it that the two couldn’t get it together sooner? Adam argues (but it doesn’t matter because McKensie is always right) that he asked, and asked, but was frequently turned down because of things like “trips to the beach”. McKensie claims (and she is, of course, always right) that the signs were there, she proposed dates and Adam just “tried to play it cool”. The truth is the stars needed to align just right. In December of 2017, a gathering of friends at the historic Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel, illuminated in their famous holiday decorations, provided the setting (and a few Sazeracs) for Adam to finally confess his long-held crush. As his luck would have it, McKensie may have also been holding onto a crush for Adam. A few days later they went on their first official outing, an invitation to a suite at the Pelicans game with a few of her girlfriends. New Years Eve was two days later and both had separate plans with friends. In a fortuitous moment, a spot became free on the roving limo party organized by McKensie’s friends. And who do you think she invited? A midnight kiss along banks of the Mississippi, with fireworks in the background, was the continuation of long friendship and the beginning of a magical relationship.

McKensie and Adam have had some incredible adventures together. Trips to Spain and Israel, beach excursions, and endless strolls across New Orleans. Never forgetting how they met, they’ve visited both Lincoln and Madison for Husker and Badger games, and of course share a love for the Saints (Who Dat?!). Adam is the cook, McKensie the fitness and yoga guru, and together they have conquered the challenges and opportunities that the last few years have presented. However, their greatest adventure began in December of 2019, two years later, they were back at The Roosevelt Hotel. The timing was perfect with an upcoming visit from McKensie’s Mom and Gram. Saturday, December 21st began with McKensie hosting “Yoga in the Dome” on the field of the Superdome as part of the New Orleans Bowl, followed up by brunch with friends. Later that evening, with Adam’s parents having secretly arrived at The Roosevelt Hotel, the entire group gathered in the festive holiday lobby as he got down on one knee and popped the question. No longer confessing a crush but confessing that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Surrounded by family and friends (and many excited onlookers), McKensie said yes! Drinks at the Sazerac Bar and dinner at GW Finns followed, a tradition that we intend to keep every December for the rest of our lives! We are so excited to be married in our favorite city, during a month that has proven to be so magical for us!