Ty and I met in November 2022. We both worked in law enforcement for the same department. The first year or so, we did not work much together, as we were on different shifts. I worked nights, and he was working days. In January of 2024, I began working dayshift with him and our friend, Jake, Ty's best man. I really got to know Ty more and more, as we spent 3 of our 6 day rotation with each other, 8 and a half hours a day. Our friendship continued to blossom, as I learned how witty, intelligent, and sweet he really was. I loved working with him and he was an amazing partner.

Early spring 2024, we had our first "friend-ish date" at the Minnesota Zoo's "adults-only" event. Both of us had a blast talking about anything and everything, while goofing around and looking at all the animals. I knew that night he was someone very special to me. We continued to talk over the next several months and I always looked forward to when I was going to get to see him next.

One September evening, my friend (and BRIDESMAID), Shelby, and I were on our way home from Stillwater after having a girl's night and decided to ask Ty to come out with us to a bar in Blaine. To my surprise, he immediately said "yes" and that he was on his way. That night, he asked me to be his date to our friends' wedding. At first, I thought he was joking. I totally blew him off and said no. The next day, I messaged him, asking if he was being serious about asking me to being his wedding date. He told me he was, and I officially (and excitedly) accepted his invitation to be his plus one in October.

October is when we started to spend a lot more time together. I invited him to my shared birthday party with my friends, and he drove me home and we stayed up till 3 AM talking in the living room. About a week later, we drove down to Sherburn for the wedding, and we spent the whole car ride down talking and getting to know each other more. He is so easy and fun to talk to. The wedding weekend, for the most part, was so much fun. I really got to know him even more that weekend.

Ty and I spent countless hours talking, hanging out, and getting to know each other from there on out. Mid-November, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I couldn't have been happier. Between November and May, we travelled more than I had ever travelled in my life. We experienced so many new things together and grew so close. We grew close very fast because I never had to ask him to be a good friend or partner. I was so truly blessed with the best. I could not believe how lucky I really was.

In May of 2025, Ty and I went on the most magical and spectacular trip to Colorado. We flew first class to Denver and rented a truck for the week we were there. We visited the most amazing places and were in total awe of Colorado's beauty. On May 3rd, Ty and I drove to the top of Pike's Peak, the tallest mountain peak in Colorado. Ty and I walked down the beaten path to get away from the rest of the tourists. This is where Ty proposed to me. I am so immeasurably grateful to have found someone who loves me unconditionally the way he does. I cannot wait for all the adventures to come!

Over the last couple of years getting to know her has been one of the greatest joys of my life. When we started working day shift together, I was genuinely excited to have her as a partner. Not just because we’d be around each other more often, but because it gave us the chance to build something at first it was just a friendship but it didn’t stay “just friends” for very long.

The first time we ever hung out one-on-one was at the MN Zoo After Hours event. We wandered through the exhibits. We had the kind of easy fun conversations that make hours feel like minutes. We just simply enjoyed each other’s company. My favorite part was when we played a ridiculous, game of Twister on the floor next to the tropical exhibit entrance that ended with me slipping into a puddle of spilled beer. It was totally embarrassing and hilarious at the same time.

After that night, something clicked for me. I wanted more. As we kept texting, snapping and working together, the more I learned about her, the more I realized how much I genuinely liked her. It wasn’t a crush… It was something deeper. A seed had gotten planted in my head about “us” and it didn’t take long before it started to grow.

Not long after, our friends Jake (the BEST man) and Jessica’s wedding was coming up. I’d been joking with them for a while that I was going to bring Ashley as my plus-one. Truth was, it wasn’t a joke at all.. I just wasn’t sure if they’d be cool with it. Eventually, I pulled them aside and asked for real. They said yes, which meant all I had to do was ask Ashley. Easier said than done if truth be told…

One night, Ashley and her friend Shelby(a bridesmaid) invited me out for a drink and some food. Shelby ran to the bathroom and I figured that this is it!! This is my window. So I asked her to come with me to the wedding. She laughed and quickly said “no” which stung a bit. But a few days later, out of nowhere, I got this heart-pounding message from her saying she did want to go. That weekend together was incredible.

By the end of it, I just knew whatever piece of her she was willing to give me, I wanted it. That’s when it became clear to me… I wanted to marry her someday. I didn’t know how she felt and I figured she’d need time, so I stayed patient. But we kept growing together. Eventually, we made things official. Then we said “I love you.” Then we started talking about forever.

Honestly, this whole relationship has felt like something straight out of a messy, beautifully chaotic romantic novel. She keeps me on my toes. My heart’s constantly racing in the best way.

Before Ashley, I thought I understood what love was. But with her, I’ve learned what it actually means to feel it..fully, deeply and completely. She’s shown me what it means to connect on every level: mind, heart and soul. She’s not just the love of my life, but my soulmate and my bestest friend.

Being with her makes every single day feel like a gift. Boy, oh boy! I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.