Guest post by our daughter, Meghan Shrewsbury
If you’ve been following Postcard Jar for any length of time, there’s a good chance you’ve known me for a while. My parents started this blog in 2014, and some of you have watched me grow up, graduate college, travel, become a nurse, work at a hospital through Covid, move…a few times, and generally become the person I am today.
But there’s one pretty significant part of my life that we’ve all kept pretty private, until now.
So, I think it’s finally time you met Ben.
My fiancé.
It still feels a little strange—and very wonderful—to write those words.
For those of you wondering where exactly he came from, our story begins in a place that probably wouldn’t have made my younger self very impressed: the internet.
Ben and I met online through a dating app. We matched and chatted on the app, went on our first date within a week, and have been together ever since.
Now before I tell you too much about Ben, keep in mind that I have never been a “nature girly.” You can see that in how I looked riding this pony.
Up until last year, I had never camped in a tent, never voluntarily hiked recreationally, and thought owls were kinda creepy. So just keep that in mind as you continue reading.
So, who is Ben?
Ben was born and raised in Minnesota. He’s the middle child of three. He studied natural resources management at North Dakota State University and after graduating, worked for two years as a park ranger in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (ironically, at the same time that my folks visited Medora, N.D.).
He then moved to New Mexico to work with the Natural Resource Conservation Service in 2021. Next, he came back to Minnesota in 2022 to work for a Soil and Water Conservation District in the Southwest part of the state. In 2025, he moved to the Twin Cities and currently works as an environmental consultant.
All this to say — he’s about as “outdoorsy” as they come.
Ben’s hobbies and interests
Ben enjoys hunting, traveling and wildlife photography. He’s also particularly passionate about reptiles, which means I have learned more about lizards, turtles, and geckos than I ever expected to know.
Anyone that knows me well knows that lizards and geckos are probably my least favorite animals, which I did tell Ben in our earliest conversations. On our second date, Ben got very serious and said he had something to tell me. I could tell he was nervous. Immediately, I thought of all the potential red flags he could be dropping on me. Then he said it: “I have a pet gecko.” Not exactly the relationship-stopping issue I was so nervous to hear. Over time, I have come to…appreciate…his gecko, Blaze; I even painted her some tiny art for her to enjoy in her enclosure.
One of my favorite things is watching Ben in his element, photographing a bird he’s been anxious to see in the wild. In fact, I knew I was in love with him one day when he took me to a park to show me a nest of great horned owls he’d been watching. It was a cold winter day and if you know me, you know nature walks have not traditionally been my “thing,” — especially cold nature walks. In an effort to participate in Ben’s hobbies, I agreed to go with him.
He bought me a latte before we set off walking around the park to see the owls. As we strolled along, me sipping my coffee, I watched Ben tell some of the kids nearby about what makes these owls special. I knew then that I could spend the rest of my life doing things like this with Ben and I would be happy.
Photo by Ben
Ben has taught me so much about Minnesota wildlife and I have gained a new appreciation for exploring nature. I’ve also introduced him to some of my hobbies such as cruising and theatre. I even got him to go to the Dancing with the Stars tour and Wicked! He also makes me laugh—a lot—which is probably important when you’re planning to spend the rest of your life with someone.
And, because I know some of you may be wondering: yes, my parents like him. 😉
The proposal
Several weeks ago, Ben met with my parents and asked their permission to marry me (which I did not know about).
We had planned a cruise to Alaska with my parents and some other friends. Unbeknownst to me, Ben had hoped to propose to me while we were at one of the ports there.
This was Ben’s first ever cruise (I think he officially has cruise fever now), and he had a great proposal plan prepared. Then, he checked the weather forecast and decided he didn’t want to risk a proposal on a cold day in the rain. So, he asked my mom and Steve to help him find a private place on the ship to propose.
I’d told him months ago that if he were to ask me to marry him, I didn’t want it to be super public where there would be too much attention on us (introvert here).
Mom and Steve talked to the Guest Relations Director, Claire, and she and a few others from the ship put together a private place for Ben to propose.
On day four of our cruise, my mom casually mentioned we had been invited to a special cocktail party in one of the new suites on the recently remodeled Celebrity Solstice. She told me to meet her on deck 7 at 5 p.m. to attend the party. When we got to the suite, Ben and I went in first and then the door closed behind us. There were balloons, swans made of towels, champagne on ice, a video of Ben and me, and lots of rose petals.
And upon realizing what was truly happening, I cried many happy tears. Ben got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. In private, just as I’d asked.
I said yes. And two seconds later, three Celebrity Retreat butlers came through the bedroom door and began singing “Only You.”
It was so over-the-top!
Let the celebration begin!
Eventually, the rest of the planning team and mom and Steve joined us in the celebration and we Facetimed with Ben’s parents, as well.
And now we’re getting married! We’re looking for a date and venue in the spring of 2027.
A word of thanks
It’s funny to think that many of you have been following my family’s adventures since I was in college. Now, I’m here introducing you to the person I’m going to marry.
So, after all these years, consider this my official Postcard Jar introduction of Ben.
Ben, welcome to our Postcard Jar family.
To everyone who has been reading along for all these years: thank you for being part of my family’s story for more than a decade. It feels pretty special to be able to introduce you to this new chapter in our lives —and to the person who is now such a big part of it.
And get used to Ben, he’s here to stay. 🙂
What a wonderful love story, was meant to be x
It is a beautiful story that is just beginning.
Sounds like a perfect match. Enjoy years and years of sunsets, laughs, and love.
Thank you so much!
Sounds like the two of you will have a beautiful life together! Megan, I’m so so happy for you! You waited a long time for the right guy! God knew what he was doing!
Big Hugs, Congratulations to you and Ben!
Thanks, Linda. We’re so happy for both of them.
Congratulations to ALL of you. So very happy for you Meghan!!! You are both very blessed to have found each other. Sounds like you’ve already brought out the best in each other. I’m sure your Mom and Steve are over the moon
We are so happy!
Congratulations Meghan, such exciting news❤️
Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing! So very happy for both of you💕
Thanks so much, Mary Ann. We were just tickled that Meghan wanted to introduce Ben to all of you.
Congratulations Meghan & Ben! May you have many years of happiness and success together
Thanks, Roger. You know you were the last person to chat with Meghan before she became someone’s fiancé. ❤️
So happy for Ben and Meghan look forward to meeting him
I’m sure you’ll meet him one day!
I have been following your Postcard Jar family since 2019 and truly feel like a part of your friends and family!
I am so very happy for you & Ben and Anne & Steve too! I wish you a lifetime full of joy, love and happiness Meghan and I look forward to reading about your future and celebrating every milestone you share, Cynthia
This is just the best! We do love our Postcard Jar family and can’t wait to share more with you. Thanks for joining in our celebration.
This was such a Special story. Congratulations Megan & Ben. Our Best Wishes Always
Thanks so much, Terri. We’re so excited for both families.
Congratulations Meghan and Ben, so happy for you. Now enjoy every minute of the preparations for your wedding. In the end, when that special day arrives, don’t worry if everything is not right, no one will know but you.
Let the wedding planning begin! Any advice for the parents of the bride?
Wow. The perfect match. So happy to hear all about you and Ben. In a world of so many not so nice things happening, reading your post along with all the photos just makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing this beautiful news and congratulations to you both. Best wishes as you take this journey together.
They really are a great match. Hope you had a fantastic birthday!
Awe how wonderful, congratulations Ben and Megan. I wish you all the happiness this world has to offer. Can’t wait to follow your journey to the alter and beyond.
So good to hear from you, Kelly. Hope you are doing well. Lots more from this love story to come …
Oh my gosh, I am so excited for all of you! Our son and his wife met on a dating app and it was the best thing that ever happened for both of them. Congratulations and best wishes as you plan the big day!!
I guess it’s the way people do it these days. In any case, we love Ben and are excited to welcome him to our family.
Oh, how wonderful! Thank you for sharing all the fun details. Congrats!
Thanks, Jo! It was such a special event and we will never forget that cruise!
Congrats to all and may you enjoy life and marriage to the fullest.
Thank you so much.
congratulations, Meghan
Thanks so much.
Woot Woot!!!! So incredibly happy to hear this news. Congratulations!
Thanks so much. We’re very excited for both of them and our families.
Congratulations Ann and Steve – so very excited for you all! What a cool story!
We are very excited, as well.
How wonderful, Mazel Tov to Megan and Ben🎉🎉🎉
Hope wedding planning comes without any hassles
Thank you, Rita. We’ve just begun the planning and focusing on securing a venue right now!
Congrats so happy for you and can’t wait to meet Ben. It’s good how the internet can have such a way to bring people together in positive good way. Working from home during COVID brought Postcard Jar blog to me and it’s been the most positive fun part of my life in last 6 years. Getting to know you and them has been a honor. Enjoying every minute of it all. Looking forward to more adventures.
Oh, Gail. You are just the sweetest. We are so blessed by your friendship. It is one of the good things that came out of such a difficult time. We’ll have to get Ben and Meghan on one of our group cruises.
Awesome🥰🥰🥰So happy for you Megan and Ben and both set of parents. God had a plan for you two to meet.
God is so good and he definitely brought these two together.
Congratulations Meghan!
Wishing you and Ben a lifetime of happiness.
Thank you!
How cool. Congrats
Thanks so much!
What’s lovely time in Megan’s life. Comgrado to both of gou
Thank you. We’re very excited for them and us!
Sounds like match made in heaven my son and his wife met on line married 16 yrs so happy for u
They really are.
Congratulations to all! Thanks for sharing your wonderful news.
Thank you so much!
Congratulations such wonderful news!
Thanks, Pam. Now to plan a wedding! Any advise?