2023 Love List

Brent Mecikalski & Nick Ross, Appleton, 4 years
Rachel & Peg Zizmann, Madison, 8 years
D’Quionte (Que) Hughes & Quinton Marks, Milwaukee, 14 years
Dawn & Amanda Siebert – Evenstone, Madison, 16.5 years
T.J. Meehan & Larry Ortt, Boscobel, 47 years

Everyone’s heard the saying, “You find love when you are not looking for it.” It all started 16 summers ago when Amanda smashed a birthday cupcake on Dawn’s face! Dawn, in turn, tackled Amanda. She quickly realized they were on cement, and moved to catch Amanda’s head before it hit the ground, landing on top of her like some cheesy movie scene.

Dawn and Amanda Siebert-Evenstone met in 2006 playing softball in Madison. Neither were looking to date, and neither were looking to find their forever. Both stubbornly tried not to fall for the other. Luckily for them, they each failed in their own way. 

The thing that Dawn didn’t know was that Amanda maybe failed more than she knew. Secretly, Amanda kept the plastic ring from that cupcake. The plastic ring was hidden for five years and three moves until Amanda used it to propose. In 2011, they held a ceremony with their friends and family. Just a few short years later, Dawn gave birth to Camden in 2013. His infectious laugh, witty sense of humor, and caring personality filled their families with joy.

In 2015 when the Supreme Court ruled against the Wisconsin same-sex marriage ban, the Siebert-Evenstones rushed downtown and were the 16th couple to be legally married in Wisconsin, on the steps of the Dane County Courthouse. This marriage was extra-special as their son, Camden, was able to join them and can be seen in their family wedding photo hanging in the halls of the courthouse. Next came Ella, the Covid baby. Amanda gave birth to Ella in 2020 in the middle of lockdown. They joke that there has not been a quiet day at their house since. 

Today, a wedding ceremony, a legal wedding, two kids, four dogs, and houses later, it is pretty clear that trying not to date has been the only failure in their relationship. Camden, now 9, has his Mom’s quick wit and Ama’s fire for debate. Ella, who is a tenacious two, has a strong personality that fills the room. You can still find Dawn and Amanda on the softball field in the summer, but the majority of their time now centers around the kids. They alternate coaching duties, with Amanda coaching flag football and Dawn coaching basketball and soccer 

That plastic ring with the softball picture that started it all, hangs in their room. A reminder of that summer in 2006, the love they found while not looking, and the life they have built since.