Aaron and Bethany came into each others lives in the fall of 2021, when they both started their masters degrees in trumpet at Northwestern University. Here are their POVs on how it all began! Bethany: My first real interaction with Aaron that I remember was at the start of year trumpet meet and greet party that he hosted at his house. I remember us getting into some kind of passionate, intellectual conversation (i.e. debate) on some topic I can no longer recall and thinking "man, this guy has strong opinions". On the one hand, I had great respect for his intelligence and clearly strong principles. On the other hand, I rarely think things are black and white and (contrarian that I am) promptly set to work playing devil's advocate to knock him down a peg, lol! That was my first encounter with Aaron's mind - my first encounter with Aaron's heart was later that night. Those that know me know that I care a great deal about sustainability/the health of the planet and that I am a bit of a recycling fanatic. Most college students are not well-versed in the particulars of recycling, so towards the end of the party I was busy digging through the trash and pulling out the recyclables to put aside. Aaron expressed some surprise but then promptly joined me and continued to pull recyclables out of the trash for the rest of the night. I continued to get to know Aaron's heart for the rest of the year, and he became a treasured friend. When my mom passed away in February of 2022, he was a steady presence, dropping off food, witnessing my tears and offering words of comfort, taking on my challenging wind ensemble parts on short notice. Even by then I knew I could depend on him for anything, and I knew that I could fully be myself around him with no fear of judgment. 9 months later, when he told me he had feelings for me, I was hesitant because I wasn't sure my feelings extended beyond friendship. But I knew his heart and how safe and loved he made me feel, so I said "let's give it a try". And the rest is history! Aaron: I too remember that party fondly as the first time we really talked together (it might’ve been about nuclear energy but don’t quote me on that…). I was struck by her conviction and ability to find wisdom in others’ perspectives, even those that she didn’t agree with, which has continued to help me be a more understanding and compassionate friend and now-fiancé! We continued to get closer through both the trumpet studio, where we shared many moments of triumph and deep stress, and Intervarsity Christian Arts Fellowship, where we deepened our friendship and vulnerability in faith, especially during such a difficult time for her family. Her strong principles, faithfulness, and fierce loyalty to her friends inevitably continued to hasten the fall I was taking for her each day. Over this time of being ever-closer friends, I realized how much I was beginning to love her, and spent many sleepless nights failing to muster the courage to tell her how I felt, giving her rides nearly every day to school and other places (her place was on the way, duh!). I finally got the courage after a brass ensemble concert to ask if she’d like to see what it would be like being more than friends, driving around the block a few times before dropping her off (which of course tipped her off that something was up, much like our engagement LOL), and to echo that same amazing woman whom I truly can’t wait to marry, the rest is history!