About four years ago John Rothfusz and Natalie Baughman met and this weekend they will take their next step together and get married here at Fresh Air Farm. Natalie is from right here in Kansas City, Missouri while John is from just a little further north, up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota called Eden Prairie.
After graduating with a Musical Theatre degree from Missouri State University in Springfield, Natalie moved back to Kansas City in preparation to move to New York City. However, little did she know, she was about to meet the love of her life. On August 13, 2011, Natalie went to the Power and Light District with some friends and ended up meeting John. They seemed to really hit it off, dancing and chatting the night away. The following day John asked Natalie on a date to Kona Grill but Natalie was a little hesitant because she had just met him. She wondered how she could get out of this situation, neither of them were even looking for a relationship at the time. So, her grand plan was to tell John that she had to work so she wasn’t able to go on the date. However, “work” really meant “a pool day with her friends”. John would never know that, right? Wrong! John actually had a few mutual friends and they let him know that she had ditched him. Let me tell you that that did not stop John one bit, he wouldn’t take no for an answer! So, the following week they did end up having their date at Kona Grill.
Fast forward three years and they are in love and celebrating Natalie’s 25th birthday with a surprise trip John had planned to San Francisco, Sonoma, and Napa Valley. This adventurous and fun loving couple biked across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito, tried the freshest seafood, hiked mountains, swam in the Pacific, and had numerous wine tastings at various California vineyards. During this trip, on August 13th, 2014 (exactly three years from the day that they met) John proposed at one of the top vineyards in Sonoma called Pride Vineyards. After a private wine tasting, he led her out into the vineyard and asked her to marry him! We all of course know what her answer was….YES! In remembrance of their special day, they took home four bottles of rare wines they had tasted and then went on to enjoy a wonderful seven course meal in Healdsburg, California. They ended their day with fully tummy’s and happy hearts!
Now, Natalie is a Registered Nurse and is working in a Medical/Oncology unit at Centerpoint Medical Center and John is a Project Manager for Cerner Corporation. When asked what his favorite thing about Natalie is, John says “her spontaneity”. “She always finds a way to keep me on my toes” He also loves her smile. “When she smiles, she gets the biggest dimples and I can’t help but smile back”. I know….they are the cutest, I mean check out their adorable photo! When asked what her favorite thing about John is, Natalie says; “John is the ultimate goof ball and I just love that about him. He always finds a way to make me smile and is so caring and considerate. There will be times when I work long hours at night and have to sleep during the day. He will wake me up with dinner prepared, chores completed, and the biggest grin on his face. I also love that John and I both love to travel and explore. It makes for a fun adventurous relationship.”
The thing that they are looking forward to the most about marriage is starting a new chapter in their lives as husband and wife. They plan to buy a house in the near future so their little Golden Doodle, Zoey, can have a yard to run around in. Then, eventually, they would love to start a family of their own. The aspect that they are looking forward to the most about getting married right here with us at Fresh Air Farm is being able to have a relaxing celebration where everyone can come and have a good time. Obviously they love to be outside and they said that Fresh Air Farm “reflects their interests and beliefs and that life should always be an adventure”. Cheers to that! As for their first dance, they both agreed that “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton would be perfect. However, they then heard the original by Dave Barnes and decided that it would be the perfect song for their first dance as a married couple!
What’s next you might ask? They actually just had a pre wedding “mini-moon” in Colorado where they hiked Rocky Mountain National Park and ventured around Estes Park and Steamboat Springs. Due to Natalie’s work schedule, it is difficult to plan a honeymoon right now. But, because they both love to be surrounded by nature, they are planning a trip to Hawaii next year! When asked what their “happily ever after” is, they said; “buying a home on a piece of land and traveling all over the United States and then eventually to Europe”. They also said it’s all about “experiencing new things together and having that special someone to share those memories with is the most important”.
We wish you all the best Natalie and John, here’s to you!
