Abbie and Austin met in Chicago the night before Abbie moved back to her home state of Minnesota. Work and strong friendships brought her back to Chicago often, which allowed for our relationship to grow. After a handful of dinner dates and hours talking on the phone, Austin visited Minneapolis. His first trip started a trend of flying back and forth to visit each other that eventually ended with Abbie moving back to Chicago.
Austin proposed to Abbie on New Years Eve in Castle Park. We had plans to go to a party at a nearby cottage but decided to take advantage of Hibbard Hall's quietness before heading over. As it began to rain, one cocktail turned into two, and after a few hours of talking by the fire Austin proposed.
We'll be exchanging our vows at Castle Park in Holland, Michigan where Austin's family has been vacationing since the 1920's.
Austin's Grandfather John Hibbard went on to purchase Hibbard Hall in 1982 with his wife, Gwen. Hibbard Hall is one of the oldest cottages in Castle Park and is located in the center of the park, steps from the tennis courts, dance dune, and the castle.
One mile north of Castle Park in Macatawa, near the Big Red Lighthouse, is Austin’s Grandmother Jean Swaney’s cottage, Topsider. Jean's cottage is steps from the beach and on most summer weekends you'll find the Swaney’s playing beach games and enjoying the sun with an Oberon in their hand. It is worth the beach walk from Castle Park to see Big Red and to sit on the bench dedicated to Austin's late Grandfather, Rusty.
Abbie's late Grandfather, Bill, was also dedicated a bench near his lake house in North Dakota.