The Meeting


You could say our story is a tale of serendipity. Lindsey had just moved back to MN from Montana and was in search of a job. Ben was enjoying the single life in St. Paul and working hard at his new position at National Wind. That particular day was the opening day of March Madness. What better excuse for a company sponsored happy hour? So Ben's boss Pat rallied the troops and everyone gathered at the local bar down the street. Right around that same time, Pat (who also happens to be Lindsey's dad) called his daughter and asked her to join them. Since Lindsey had just completed an interview a few blocks away, she decided she'd crash the party. When she arrived, she sat next to her dad and began discussing the games. A few minutes later, Ben arrived and took the only available seat - on the other side of Pat. When Ben and Lindsey struck up a conversation about Ben's Grease car, squash, and Lindsey's dog Summit, Pat felt a little like a third wheel and eventually left. Not wanting the conversations to end, Ben asked Lindsey on an impromptu date for that night under the guise of "giving her a tour of St. Paul." Having just moved to St. Paul for the first time (and of course wanting to get to know him more) she accepted and the rest, as they say, is history (or maybe serendipity).

The Engagement

After three happy years together, Lindsey was eagerly awaiting the chance to agree to a lifetime commitment to Ben. One could say she was ready at any moment for Ben to pop the question - any moment except that one. Ben had cleverly lured Lindsey down to Lake City to the Dorothy Ann (the Ransom's 25' Bayfield sailboat) under the pretense of "needing the afternoon to install the new wind turbine," he had just bought. Because Ben would be working on the boat the whole time and the fact that it was over 90 degrees with 100% humidity, Lindsey contemplated staying behind this time, but agreed with the hope of an evening sail or dinner in Pepin. When they arrived in Red Wing, suddenly Ben became fidgety, pulled over and exclaimed, "I think I forgot the sailboat key!" While Ben began to rummage through the back of the car, Lindsey offered to help but was quickly told to stay in the front seat. She couldn't figure out what the big deal was because he didn't need the key to install the turbine, it just meant they couldn't go sailing. Little did she know of a "special package" which was in the back seat.

When they arrived in Lake City, Ben asked Lindsey if she wanted to do some shopping so he could start to work on the boat. She happily agreed and finally returned an hour and a half later to an impatient Ben who said, "it's too hot to work on the boat, let's go sailing." While Lindsey was shopping, Ben had cut the locks on the boat to get in and figured out how to start the engine without the key. He was anxiously awaiting Lindsey's return so they could go. Once out on the water, Lindsey went to the bow while Ben stayed behind to man the helm. Eventually, Ben asked Lindsey to come back so she could put some more "suntan lotion on his back". Although he was in need of some SPF, this was merely a ploy for Ben to ask for another favor, which perplexed her greatly: "Can you go in the galley and get the canvas bag? There's a box in the bag that has a special clasp that I need." Completely unaware, Lindsey does as she is told and hands a very fancy box to Ben. He asks her if she knows what it is and all she can think of is, "this fancy box has got to hold a really expensive clasp." But before she says anything, he opens the box and asks her to marry him! Speechless, she is only able to cover her mouth and nod her head in acceptance. That moment was the most special she has ever felt. On the way back to the marina, Lindsey learns that Ben was a true gentleman and had asked for permission from both of the men in her life: her father and Summit. Both of which happily consented.