OUR STORY
Once upon a time, in a quirky collision of Vermont and Wisconsin roots, Pete and Emily's love story unfolded.
Pete, the quintessential Xennial from Vermont, had more outdoor skills than the entire cast of "Survivor." Raised amidst trout fishing, cheese, and the occasional moose encounter, he ventured south to Florida to study broadcasting—probably hoping to narrate his own fishing expeditions one day.
Little did he know, his career in broadcasting would take him on a wild ride through Georgia and eventually deposit him in Wisconsin, where the cows outnumbered the people (and that's saying something in Vermont).
Emily, a bona fide dairy farm girl from Wisconsin, had a resume that read like an adventure novel. From vet-tech missionary stint in Africa teaching tribes how to care for their livestock to teaching at a veterinary school, and other world travels, she'd seen it all. She arrived back home in Wisconsin, just as the pandemic hit. Here, she dove into the family insurance business, and wondering if she'd ever meet someone who could match her zest for life.
Enter Facebook Dating, the virtual cupid that connected Pete and Emily through a mutual missionary friend. October 9, 2021 they arranged to meet at Rachel’s Bar and Grill, both secretly packing heat just in case the other was a serial catfisher. Pete, ever the Vermonter, marveled at the "cheap" burgers (compared to Atlanta prices, of course), while Emily, with her Wisconsin sensibilities, thought they were practically gourmet (and probably costlier than a calf).
Their relationship hit its stride on the fourth date, where Pete—like a true Renaissance man—taught Emily and her friend the fine art of pig butchering. Bonding through fishing trips and their shared rough-and-tumble backgrounds, they discovered they were a match made in a field of cows.
Emily initially thought Pete was a bit eccentric, only to realize later it was just his Vermont charm and autism — though Pete, forever the pragmatist, couldn't help but be irked by Emily's ADHD.
And so, against the backdrop of rural charm and a whole lot of cheese, Pete and Emily's love story proves that sometimes, opposites not only attract but also keep each other laughing—whether it's over misunderstood burger prices or the best way to outsmart a trout.
Pete’s daughters: Makayla and Noelle
The Engagement
In August of 2023, Pete and Emily embarked on a road trip adventure to Michigan, cruising along the stunning shores of Lake Michigan in Emily's convertible. Pete tried to set the mood, but Emily wasn't falling for it.
Unbeknownst to her, Pete had planned a romantic stop to visit Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel and it’s famous porch. As they sipped overpriced drinks, Pete suggested a photo op with the breathtaking lake view. Just as a friendly stranger offered to take their picture, Pete surprised Emily by getting down on one knee. Her response? A surprised “are you serious?” followed by a resounding yes!
*Click [ ] on the bottom right of the video to enlarge.
Fun engagement photo to include the girls:
Noelle’s love of penguins and Makayla’s favorite, gnomes and mushrooms.
