It was the Friday after classes started, and Athena was drawn out of her dorm by a friend. Tristan happened to be watching TV in the dorm lounge, and a party of sorts happened. Tristan’s roommate, Tristan, Athena, Athena’s friend, and her friend’s boyfriend all sat and watched South Park in the lounge. Athena’s friend silently handed her phone to Tristan, wordlessly asking for his Snapchat. Athena, being shy and not knowing many people, did the same. For an hour, Athena and Tristan sent each other silly selfies with no text. Neither of them knew how to speak to each other yet. At one point, Tristan stood up and sat behind Athena(who had somehow ended up sitting on the floor in front of the chair). He snapped her a selfie with text that read “I’m at a party and there’s this girl I think is really cute, and I don’t know what to do.” Athena, being oblivious, sent back “just say something!!” Tristan leaned down and said “something.”

After a stroll through the Christmas lights in downtown Bemidji, Athena and Tristan made their way to the DoubleTree so they could see the big Christmas tree inside. They took the elevator to the second floor landing where they would have the best view. While Athena watched the twinkling lights of the tree, Tristan nervously got down on one knee. He didn’t know what the reaction he would get would be, so he watched Athena smile at the tree. He cleared his throat and watched as Athena turned around. Her eyes widened as he started to speak. “I know our relationship hasn’t been around long, but I have always believed that when you know you love someone, you know. Athena, I love you and I want to be there for your good days and bad. Will you marry me?” Of course Athena said yes! They planned to wait until after their college graduation (go Beavers!), and wait they have. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone!