WE GOT MARRIED!
April 16, 2018
St. Paul, Minnesota
Our Story
HOW WE MET
If you ask Mykl, our story starts in the fall of 2012 when we were both brought in to help the Madison Claire Foundation promote their annual fundraising gala. We connected a few times at team meetings leading up to the big event – a 70’s theme disco party. Mykl was impossible to miss the night of the fundraiser in his gleaming white Saturday Night Fever suit. Jen sported a short dress, tall boots, and a last-minute date. (In her defense, she had no idea the future love of her life would be dressed as John Travolta.)
We kept seeing each other through another fundraiser, the Deep Freeze Dunk for Haiti Outreach. Jumping into a frozen Minnesota lake in the middle of January is definitely a bonding experience you don’t forget. After the big jump we connected over karaoke, hanging out and getting to know each other even more.
Our first kiss sealed the deal. We both agree on that!
Jen’s version: Everything above, except the first time we met was in 2011 at the MN Blogger Conference during Mykl’s talk on WordPress plugins. Asking questions after a session and following each other on Twitter doesn’t quite count as becoming friends, but hey, it’s still the first time we met.
THE PROPOSAL
Also Jen’s version: Mykl proposed while we were on a cruise to the Bahamas. Before dinner, he mentioned having an upset stomach. No biggie, we’re old, we pack Tums, it’s all good. During dinner he excused himself a few more times, which was more concerning. Getting sick on a ship sucks.
Since he wasn’t feeling well, we bailed on the comedy show and he convinced me to go look at the stars with him instead. We headed up the elevator, but before we got to the top floor, he suggested we stop at the club level and grab a drink. I was all for that, but worried it was only going to upset his stomach more.
We were greeted with flutes of champagne as we stepped off the elevator. Now instead of worrying about his stomach, I was worried about our wallets. Mykl obviously didn’t realize this was the fancy members club. And I was sure he certainly didn’t know that bottle service wasn’t included in our unlimited drink package. We needed to turn around and get back in that elevator now.
But he just smiled and accepted his glass, then handed me one and guided me along to follow the two crew members to our table. There were chocolate-covered strawberries and dim lighting and before I knew it, he was getting down on one knee and I didn’t even hear what he was saying because OHMYGODWHATISHAPPENING?!?!?!?!
So yeah, basically the best proposal ever. There was no upset stomach (he was faking so he could coordinate everything with the staff). I didn’t realize until after I said yes that he had arranged to have the entire club to ourselves and enjoy the moment in our own private little world. Lucky is an understatement — I can’t believe I have a best friend who knows how to make me the happiest woman in the world.
EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
We’ve been together 5 years and counting. Our families (Levi, Tillie, and Lucy) have long since blended to become one super fun group of people who genuinely enjoy being together. We love to travel, sing karaoke with friends, seek out large roadside attractions, and share overly affectionate updates on Facebook.
We work together (back to back in the same home office), co-run a business (Get Social Events), and never shy away from some quality couch time binge-watching our favorite shows. You’d think with all this togethernesss that we’d be sick of one another, but most days we’re not. 😉
Spending so much time together means we’ve learned a lot about each other. We’ve got tons in common – we both snore, we aren’t morning people, and we love dystopian novels, bacon, and art museums. We’re compatible – the toilet paper always goes over the top, travel is laid back with plenty of room for random exploration, and small, physical gestures of affection help us feel connected. One of the best parts of our relationship is how we teach each other new things — Jen wouldn’t know a serif font from a sans serif were it not for Mykl being a typography snob. Likewise, Mykl wouldn’t know the joys of whitewater rafting or ziplining if it wasn’t for Jen’s thirst for adventure.
We joke that we’re made for each other, but it’s the kind of joke that’s funny because it’s so true. After following such different paths before finding each other, we think spending the rest of our lives continuing to do all this stuff together makes perfect sense.
The next chapter of this crazy adventure kicks off on April 15th when we walk down the aisle as husband and wife. We’re thankful you’ll be there to celebrate this milestone in our journey together. Your support has helped us get here — and we’re grateful to know that you won’t stop believin’… in us.
