“What rock have you been hiding under?” Neither one of us can agree on who was hiding, and under what rock. However it seems that God was uniquely working in both our lives over the years giving us similar dreams, hopes and aspirations while simultaneously giving us complimentary gifts, skills and tools. Now that we have found each other, we are excited to use our talents to serve and to build together.

Adam’s Story

Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Adam moved with his parents to Sioux Falls, South Dakota around six months old. He grew up in a Christian, homeschooling family and did most of his growing up on a hobby farm. It was here on the “farm” where he developed his love for gardening, trees, chickens, and food production. When asked what he wanted to do when he grew up, Adam always insisted that he wanted to be a jack of all trades.

After high school graduation, Adam attended the International Alert Academy in Big Sandy Texas. He ended up staying in Texas for 5 years working as a paramedic and serving on the Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department. He then interned at Gabe Brown’s Ranch, worked in construction, sales, marketing, and conservation.

After years of in person and online dating Adam decided to quit trying to find a spouse and swore he would never do online again. After taking a break from dating for 18 months, he received some friendly encouragement to start looking again.

Alyssa’s Story

Born and raised in Wellman, Iowa, Alyssa was raised in an entrepreneurial family with strong Christian values. She grew up raising bottle babies, riding her feral pony, Prince, and running heavy equipment. Most often, you’d find her somewhere between the barnyard and her Barbie collection.

Life goals of being a farmer were replaced with a great interest in photography, graphic design, and all things Ireland when Alyssa went off to college. After a short stint living in Northern Ireland and graduating with a BFA in Graphic Design, she quickly realized that spending 8 hours a day stuck behind a computer screen was not how she wanted to spend her days, and spent her time working in the family business as a drainage and conservation contractor, and taking in as many traveling opportunities as she could get her hands on.

Not one to sit around and wait for prince charming to ride in, Alyssa bought some cattle and sheep and began selling meat direct-to-consumer. She soon outgrew her postage stamp on the family homestead and bought her own acreage to continue to expand the farm.

Our Story

Alyssa is rather well-known for her one-liners, and after many years of disastrous dating attempts, her commonly quoted line about dating is that “Love is like a fart. If you have to force it, it’s probably crap.” After an evening out dancing and commiserating about collectively dismal dating options, a friend suggested Upward to Alyssa. It sounded like a good boredom buster, so after a decent break from online dating, Alyssa was back to shopping for men. One solid wink at Adam, and the race was on.

The first week of February, 2025, Adam reactivated an old online dating account. Alyssa was the first and only conversation he had. They texted for the first time Feb 10th, and met in person February 22nd. Even though they were 6 hours apart, they spent time together almost every weekend, with the longest stretch being 10 days apart.

Adam asked Alyssa to be his girlfriend March 10th at the Omaha Zoo. He proposed on June 19th at sunset in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Alyssa and Adam will reside at their farm in North English, Iowa, and plan to continue farming, raising trees, and growing the tallow business.