We're getting married!

We met at the Purdue Animal Science Research Farm in 2022. Ethan first heard about “this girl” who had just started working at the farm from Chrisly Baugh. He told him he needed to meet her — after all, she could drive a tractor, had her CDL, and loved agriculture. That was all it took. The first time we officially crossed paths, Chrisly had to shuttle everyone back to the farm after a long day hauling silage wagons. At the time, Karlene thought Ethan was at least 30 years old and completely out of her league. A few weeks later, we found ourselves working together again, spending days passing each other back and forth hauling silage to the dairy farm. One afternoon, Ethan was in the tractor ahead of Karlene and in there waiting to unload, Ethan got out of his tractor and headed toward the hay barn in what looked like he needed to relieve himself. Instead, he took a sharp turn toward her tractor and threw her door open to properly introduce himself and ask her out to Harry’s with his friends that night — and, of course, for her Snapchat. Karlene didn’t know what to think of this guy being so bold that he bombarded her in her tractor. She told him “maybe.” That night, they started talking on Snapchat and getting to know each other — and that’s when Karlene discovered Ethan had actually just turned 21 the week before. The day of their first date, Ethan stopped Karlene as she was leaving the farm to make sure she was actually coming. She said yes and gathered a couple friends to join the Harry’s outing with Ethan and his friends. Little did she know… there was no Harry’s plan. Ethan’s friends had conveniently “cancelled,” so the new plan was Texas Roadhouse instead. Karlene had been expecting Harry’s, so she went home, showered off the farm, ate dinner, and headed to her friend Elizabeth’s apartment to get ready — only to change plans again and go back to her own apartment to wait for Ethan to pick her up. Not wanting to go to dinner alone with a total stranger, she recruited Liz and another friend to also go to Texas Roadhouse that night and sit at a nearby table — just in case. They ended up having an amazing first date. Karlene ordered fried pickles (since she had already eaten dinner) and discovered Ethan hates pickles. After dinner, they took a walk across the Lafayette bridge. Neither of them knew that simple first date would lead them to where they are today. Around Christmas time 2025, Ethan casually began planting the seed about going back to Texas Roadhouse. Karlene had been traveling for work and they finally had one free night together, so off they went. Karlene didn't think anything of it as they head up to Texas Roadhouse often. After dinner, Ethan suggested they drive by Harry’s and maybe grab a drink. On the way to West Lafayette, he made a detour and asked if she wanted to walk the bridge “like we used to.” As they walked down the lit bridge, Ethan pointed out a large group coming toward them. As the group got closer, Karlene began recognizing familiar faces — her family and his. In the midst of her shock, Ethan got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. Of course, she said yes!