January 7, 2023. Eden and Carsten had met before, but hadn't been formally introduced. She was a refugee from the formerly free state of California, he was a naive suburban boy from Apex, North Carolina. Little did they know they'd be engaged 427 days later!! On January 7, Eden decided to plan a bowling night with some people she'd met at the young adults group she went to called the Circle. Carsten was a leader of the Circle, and among those invited to bowl along with 10 or so others. The bowling alley she chose was extremely busy, so Carsten offered to help get a lane reservation so the group didn't have to wait forever to get a couple lanes. This was the first time they had a real conversation together and hung out, and when Carsten's interest started to develop. About 2 weeks later, Carsten planned a hiking trip in Chattanooga with a similar group of friends to get to talk to Eden for a while on the hike. At this point, they'd been in text communication pretty much daily and it was only a matter of time until Eden would be asked out by the most attractive man in Middle Tennessee - what a stroke of luck! Fast forward to February 8, 2023 -- Carsten and Eden were invited to go disc golfing with a group of friends at a pretty park in Brentwood, TN. After finishing the course, Eden and Carsten continued talking and when everyone else had left, Carsten popped the question.... asking her out... okay not THE question but at least the first big one! Jump to March 28th, 2023. We'd been apart from each other for a little over 3 weeks due to overlapping family vacations. Just a few hours back together and plenty of reflection time on the first several weeks of their unofficial relationship, Carsten popped the question!! Okay just kidding again. Not that one. He just asked her to be his girlfriend that night. The BIG one is coming up next. March 2023-January 2024. This is the time when, like fine wine, aged cheese, or a 37 year old man being kicked out of his parents basement to live on his own, we matured. Spiritually, mentally, emotionally, we began slowly dying to ourselves, living for one another while growing closer to the Lord and our shared love for food. If you're lucky enough to be invited over for dinner in their marriage, you're in for an experience many would brave crossing one side of the Atlantic to the next with nothing but a life-preserver and a hearty breakfast. Feb 2024-March 2024. At this point, Carsten knows he's got this one in the bag. They started going to pre-engagement counseling with the man who would become our officiant, Kyle Froman. This sweet 7 weeks instilled so much confidence in our relationship that we felt very prepared to take it a step further, one that's permanent and life altering! March 9, 2024. Carsten had been prepping to ask THE question (yes, that one) for about 3 weeks. From deciding where to drop the knee, finding a crew to set up the engagement decorations, to figuring out how in the world to keep a photographer hidden from sight in a completely open grassy field with no nearby trees, to rehearsing the speech 100 times (with many a tear shed), and planning an engagement party with all of our dearest friends, Carsten was READY, albeit a bit nervous! Eden had no idea. If you ask her, she'll certainly say she knew it was coming, but don't believe her. The guile to throw her off (double date in Downtown Franklin) worked perfectly, and the moment she knew she was getting proposed to was when we pulled up to the grassy spot. Thankfully, Carsten remembered most of what he'd practiced, and spoke it through tears and Eden, despite being speechless gave the "yes" and the rest is history! Or maybe it's more appropriate to say "The best is yet to come." We're so grateful for the Lord orchestrating our steps, lighting a path for us and placing many Godly men and women in our lives to lead by example. We can't be more thrilled to do life together! Here's to forever!