our love story...

It all started with a little dating app called “Tinder” in early 2016. He swiped right because he thought she was cute in her profile pictures of her holding her golden retriever, Bentley! She swiped right because he had a picture of him and his dog Buck in the lake, two of her favorite things... and he was a STUD! He suggested meeting up for a date at Roses in East Grand Rapids that following Wednesday evening. They hit it off with great conversation about family, friends, their dogs of course, and two surprising coincidences... Muskegon ties and both were Norsemen. Breana was training for the Riverbank 25k (15.5 miles) in Grand Rapids that May and Jeff, already being in tip-top physical shape, thought to himself “I can do that.”. He had the guts to suggest he be her training buddy. That’s when Breana knew he was a keeper. Any guy willing and wanting to run 15 miles was dedicated... or crazy (FYI they both finished the race)! On April 2, 2016 Jeff asked Breana to be her girlfriend. She said yes!

Over the next year and a half they went on many adventures together from camping trips to the Upper Peninsula, to football games, hunting and fishing, beachin’, holding a baby bear, and even skydiving. The two spent many weekends up in Traverse City where Jeff grew up and back in Muskegon at Breana’s parents. Each family grew closer to them as they grew more in love.

Now, you may be wondering about the proposal? Jeff had put a ton of thought and time into planning it. How Breana didn’t find out was a miracle! Jeff knew it had to be done at the beach, her favorite place in the world. He also knew that involving both families was most important. Christmas weekend 2017 rolled around and the plan was for the two to spend it at Breana’s parents. Jeff suggested they go check out the remodeling progress on Breana’s parents house on Lake Michigan. When they got there they decided to take a cold, windy walk down to the shoreline to let Bentley run. Being a little hesitant with the cold, Breana went along for the walk and little did she know that was the best walk of her life. Jeff surprised her with an early Christmas present. As he got down on one knee and reached into his pocket, Breana instantly knew what he was about to ask. As he presented “the” ring, the tears on Breana’s face
    
instantly froze. Overwhelmed with excitement, Jeff pointed up to the top of the dune and that’s when Breana broke down again realizing both their families and friends watched on with chilling excitement as they witnessed the beginning of the future Mr. and Mrs. Ruthkowski.

Now you all know the story of how Breana and Jeff met and everything in between. If you would like to learn more and find out what happens in part two of their fairytale, please join them on June 15, 2019 in Traverse City, MI.

To Be Continued...