It was 2003. Catherine had just found out a new family moved into the area and would be joining the church co-op. She was sitting in the church social hall when the new family arrived. In walked a boy with his t-shirt tucked into his cargo shorts, his socks pulled up his shins, and a box of army figurines in tow. As nerdy as he was, Catherine thought, "wow, he's pretty cute." She didn't even know his name at the time, but David would soon become one of her best friends. Thus began a long eight years of off-and-on crushes, late night AIM conversations, and fun days making memories. It wasn't until 2011 that the long lasting friendship finally developed into something more...

It was 2011. The Church Youth Group was on the four hour car ride home from the annual ski trip. For the past few months, it had become obvious that Catherine and David were developing stronger feelings for each other. They ended up sitting together in the van on the long bumpy ride. After an exhausting day on the slopes, David had fallen asleep leaning against the window. Catherine was drifting off as well, and decided it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if she "accidentally" fell asleep on his shoulder. Of course, as soon as her head hit his shoulder, her heart began to race and she could no longer sleep. Little did she know, David was faking sleep the whole time as well. He had noticed her head slowly creeping towards his shoulder, and he was trying to figure out whether or not Catherine had fallen asleep on him by accident. Then her phone rang. This was the moment of truth: If Catherine hung up and put her head back on his shoulder, it meant she liked him. If she moved her head elsewhere, David knew he would just have to work a little harder to win her over. After finishing the call and hanging up, she rested her head back on his shoulder. David had his answer. From then on, everything would change. A few weeks later, David and Catherine made plans to see a movie as friends. Neither of them had invited anyone else, but David's brother Nick came along to "supervise." He then accidentally ended up in the wrong theater, leaving David and Catherine alone watching Rango. David wanted to make a move, and Catherine was hoping he would. Then a scene came on where the characters hold hands while sitting around a campfire. David jokingly said, "I think this is the part where we hold hands," and reached for Catherine's. A few days later, David officially asked Catherine to be his girlfriend, and their story as a couple began.

It was 2017. Catherine and David had been dating for six and a half years. Four years of long-distance during college had made their relationship stronger than ever. After finally being together in the same state again, the game was afoot. While David was saving up for a ring, Catherine was starting to drop less than subtle hints. After buying a ring, all he had to do was figure out how to pop the question. He couldn't take her out to an extra nice dinner because she would've seen that coming a mile away. Propose at a sporting event? Forget it. He wanted something unique. After weeks of brainstorming, David finally had it. An Escape Room. A locked room of puzzles you must solve to make your way out. Catherine and David had often talked about how much fun it would be to try one, and it offered the perfect opportunity. The owners hid the ring at the end of the string of puzzles. After solving the last puzzle in the room, the ring box popped out from a hidden compartment under a desk. Catherine assumed he was pulling a cruel prank. But David got down on one knee and, referencing their first date, said, "I think this is the part where I propose." So, to quote The Princess Bride: "Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us togevva today."