we're happy you're here.

Adults-only event. More information to come. Accommodations: The Graduate Hotel, Iowa City. Call hotel for discounted room block.

Aaron was playing intramural basketball with his friend Kayla, and had just won the semi-final game. In the bleachers, Catia was waiting for her semi-final match to start. Kayla, who played on Catia's and Aaron's team, had just wrapped up her game with Aaron, and as the two teams passed each other between games, Aaron noticed Catia as the teams wished each other good luck. After she walked away, he jokingly declared, "dibs." Later that night, after Aaron’s team had wrapped up their game, Kayla received a text from him—short and to the point, but full of curiosity: "Who was the girl in the headband on your team?" Kayla, the best wing-woman, said she would introduce them at the upcoming dental school bar. When the night came on March 26th, 2022, Catia knew this was coming, but was very shy to approach Aaron. Once their friends (and a few drinkipoos) finally helped them connect at Brother's in downtown Iowa City, their conversation flowed effortlessly, and the sparks were undeniable. And 3 years later, they're still crazy for each other.

November 2024 - Aaron decides to propose to Catia - Aaron talks to Catia's parents and asks her mom and grandpa if he can propose with her late grandma Joan's ring. Of course they say yes. - Catia and Aaron decide to go skiing after the New Year (5 hour drive away) - They decide to take off work and drive up early on Friday to ski all day. December 6, 2024 - Aaron sneakily gets the ring from Michelle on a trip back to Iowa for a wedding December 20, 2024 - Aaron takes the ring to get polished - Jewelers tell Aaron the ring has a broken prong and it needs fixed - The earliest they can get it done by is January 2nd and can have guaranteed 11:00am delivery on January 3rd (the day we leave for the mountains) with overnight shipping January 2nd, 2025 - Aaron states we're leaving at 10:00am instead of the original 5:00am we planned on - Catia argues, but reluctantly agrees January 3rd, 2025 - Aaron pretends to sleep in to delay the departure and hopes Catia does also - Catia wakes up on time and does all of the chores before leaving because Aaron is procrastinating - At 10:00am Catia waits in the passenger seat of Aaron’s car - Aaron pretends to go to the bathroom and checks on the FedEx package - Aaron renames the package "Vanguard" and tells Catia they have to wait for the package because it is a thing he needs to sign for work - At 1:00pm, the FedEx truck passes our house - Catia is annoyed and asks if they can just leave without it. Aaron says no. - Aaron frantically tries to get ahold of FedEx (btw, this is impossible to do) - Aaron considers telling Catia the truth because she is so upset - Catia goes to the gym, starts reflecting on the situation, and realizes this is uncharacteristic of Aaron and doesn't make sense - Catia decides that the package must be an engagement ring - Catia returns home and is completely content with waiting and a lot happier (180-degree turn in emotions) - Aaron hugs Catia and says "I need you to trust I'm doing the right thing." - Catia thinks "Slam dunk. This is an engagement ring." - Aaron suggests they play Fortnite together to pass the time - At 4:00pm, the delivery driver knocks on the door - Aaron tells Catia to turn of the TVs and Xboxes - Aaron signs, shoves the package in his backpack, and goes into the bedroom - Catia follows shortly behind and asks to see the package - Aaron grabs a random envelope from his nightstand and hands it to Catia - Catia turns the envelope around and sees it is from Vanguard - Catia's emotions take another 180-degree turn and she says "I'm so dumb. I really thought it was an engagement ring" - They leave for the mountains. - Catia puts on her headphones and listens to an audiobook after telling Aaron, "I'm sorry. I can't talk to you right now." - Aaron happily jams to music while driving because he knew he fooled her - Aaron tells Catia that to make up for it, he made plans for when they arrive - At 10:00pm they arrive and Aaron changes into nice clothes and tells Catia to do the same - Catia takes a solid 30 minutes to get ready - Aaron waits outside on the porch for almost 20 minutes in 17 degree weather wearing just a sweatshirt - Catia finally finishes getting ready and finds him outside - Aaron asks Catia to marry him with her Grandma Joan's ring on her grandma's heavenly birthday - Catia, obviously, says yes