Laura and Kevin met online two years ago. “After that first initial contact, we were messaging paragraphs to each other every night for about a week before we were able to go on our first date,” Laura said.

“Our first date was a dinner date at Thai Spice in Iowa City,” Kevin recalled. “I was going through a rough and busy stretch at work and the dating life had also been frustrating in recent history. I went into our date with no expectation and fully committed to taking a break from online dating after this one since I needed time to decompress and unwind. That date turned out to be a special one. We were there for a couple of hours and just had continual great conversation the entire time. Instead of being the beginning of a break in online dating, it turned out to be the end of my online dating experience entirely.”

Kevin planned for a “very low-key proposal, but that totally fits the two of us!” Laura told me about it. “We decided to return to Baraboo, WI for a romantic Memorial Day weekend getaway after going there the previous year. We stayed at the Ringling House B&B in the Ella & Fred room where we had stayed the previous year as well.

“On the day of the proposal, we got up and enjoyed breakfast before heading for a hike at Parfrey’s Glen State Nature Area just east of Devil’s Lake State Park. This sandstone gorge is known for its gorgeous views and waterfall at the trail’s end. After the hike, we headed to downtown Baraboo to check out some of the local shops. We picked up some kitchen dodads for me and some Dominion board game expansions for Kevin.

“After shopping, we headed back to the B&B to get changed for our dinner at Ishnala Supper Club. It’s the premiere supper club in WI and the wait can be super long (2+ hours) for a table so you have to get there early (bar opens at 2:30 pm and guests start getting seated at 3:10 pm). Just before we left, Kevin dropped down to one knee and asked me to be his pea pod for life. [Their entire relationship, they’ve said they are two peas in a pod.] So simple and yet so perfect. I said yes immediately and then we headed out for what was now our celebratory dinner.

“After dinner, we went and played a round of miniature golf in Wisconsin Dells followed by a round of the card game Dominion using one of the new expansion sets at the coffee table in our room at the B&B. Just an incredible day from start to finish.”

They are planning their wedding next fall and I, for one, am very excited to be there to celebrate with them!