Without further ado ...

Richfield's Kyah Hanzal and Mike Hayek are the winners of Patch's Greatest Love Story in Minnesota contest, receiving nearly 50 percent of the vote. Their story was one of eight submitted to the contest.

The couple not only gets bragging rights for the greatest love story in the state, but also a $50 gift card to D'Amico and Sons from Patch.

Kyah submitted the couple's story and the following was how she told it:

Once upon a time there was a girl named Kyah Hanzal from Richfield, MN who started going to school in Richfield with Mike Hayek in 3rd grade. Growing up they crossed paths many times, including gym classes in middle school and social studies classes in high school. It may have seemed that they would have ended up being high school sweethearts, but they didn't end up hanging out until after they graduated high school. They started dating on June 24th, 2009 and stayed together even though they physically parted ways. Kyah went to college in Mankato, MN to pursue a degree in elementary education while Mike stayed at his house in Richfield to go to the University of Minnesota. Then on May 4th, 2012 they had a picnic by Minnehaha falls. The weather was nice but it was about to rain. The happy couple decided to walk to the bottom of the falls and make their way along the creek down to the Mississippi River. It had just started to sprinkle but before they left, Mike told Kyah that he loved her and wanted to start the rest of his life with her so he got down on one knee and Kyah said yes! Mike is currently attending the University of Minnesota's Law School and after Kyah graduates in May, the happy couple will get married on June 14th, 2013 where they will hopefully live happily every after!

Congratulations to Kyah and Mike, and all of the couples who were part of the contest. Love is a great gift. Happy Valentine's Day, from Patch.