Stacey & Erik
StaceyThrune
&ErikKelly
September272025
Elysian, MN
Our Story
How We Met
Ours is the kind of love story that unfolded quietly, over time. We first met while working at Mercy Hospital, and even after we both moved on, we stayed in touch. We never really planned to end up here—in this scenario, planning a wedding—but somewhere along the way, it crept up on us. And truthfully? We’re not mad about it.
Eventually, life brought us back together—this time working at Abbott, another hospital. As the year was winding down, we both had a little PTO to spare and, as luck would have it, the same day off.
Stacey had planned a sunrise trip to Duluth, and when Erik heard about it, he asked if he could tag along. At 3:30 AM, he showed up, and off we went to Jay Cooke State Park. The morning was peaceful, the breakfast was cozy, and the conversation was effortless.
After that day, our paths kept crossing in all the right ways. What started as simple hangouts began to feel like a rhythm, something steady and right that we hadn’t fully noticed until it was already there.
And now, here we are—getting married, and feeling pretty lucky that timing (and PTO) worked in our favor.
The Proposal
Erik always knew Stacey was the one. The question was how to make the proposal feel meaningful. Since Duluth was where their journey began, it was the obvious place to pop the question.
He planned a weekend getaway filled with Stacey’s favorite places in Duluth—from her favorite restaurants to the coffee shops she loves, and all the little spots she holds dear. It was a day to celebrate her and their life together.
After a day of easy laughter and shared memories exploring the city, Erik managed to get Stacey out of the Airbnb for a while, giving him time to decorate the space, creating the perfect setting for what was about to come.
When Stacey returned, Erik played a surprise video that he and their family and friends had put together. The video was filled with heartfelt messages reminding Stacey how much she is loved and how much she means to everyone around her. Watching her reaction, tears in her eyes, Erik knew it was the moment. He got down on one knee, shared what she meant to him, and asked her to marry him.
Her “yes” was the perfect ending to a perfect day—and the start of their next chapter together.