We're getting married!

We would first like to thank Luke Bettag, John's closest friend from Saint Louis University (SLU) and one of Carolyn's tightest cousins. Without this guy, we definitely wouldn't be here today, so shoutout Luke! Now onto the story: John and Carolyn actually first met when she was in high school in 2017 and John came up with Luke to Wisconsin from SLU for their fall break. Just a day trip but Carolyn likes to think John was starstruck from Day 1. Unfortunately, nothing came of this initial meeting until.... Carolyn, newly single, freshman in college. Where? Of course she had to follow Luke to SLU, and Luke just so happened to be best friends with none other than John. Carolyn wasn't really looking for anything, but John already had his eye out and perhaps there was a slight idea in the back of Carolyn's mind. Second semester rolls around and somehow they both ended up in multiple classes together, partners for Organic Chemistry Lab and seat neighbors in Calculus. Needless to say they spent plenty of time together working on labs and homework, still nothing came of it. Fast forward to the semester after COVID lockdown, fall 2020. Classes were online and work was easy. With nothing to do John, Carolyn, Luke and (new character alert) Joseph would hang out quite frequently taking plenty of road trips all across the midwest. Little did Carolyn know, John was SUPER into her but definitely struggling with the idea of dating his best friend's cousin. Carolyn also noticed feelings starting to grow, but as the true woman she is, she was not willing to make the first move. At some point John had a conversation with Luke about breaking the barrier to dating his best friend's cousin, and of course Luke gave him the green light. So, one night after everyone had been hanging out for a while, somehow the 2 ended up alone in the living room while all the others were on the porch, and John professed his love for Carolyn. John automatically assumed this meant they were dating, but again Carolyn being the woman she is, made John court her for a week before making it official on October 6! Now fast-forward about 4.5 years to February 2024. John had moved to Pittsburgh for medical school and Carolyn was still in St. Louis for PA school. They had been doing distance for about 9 months at this point. John called Carolyn to tell her he was booking a flight to come visit St Louis for a weekend. Being the not-so-subtle person he is, he also mentioned that he would be packing a suit to wear for dinner on Saturday night at a steakhouse and that she was required to also dress nice.... not suspicious at all... After some more not-so-subtle hints were dropped, Carolyn knew exactly where this was going. John ended up proposing at the St. Louis Arch on March 8! (Of course Luke was there to celebrate)