We met at John Brown University through a mutual friend and quickly bonded over our overseas experiences and love for movies. During our second semester, COVID shut the school down. Neither of us could go home, but we were blessed by the Reimers and the Andersons, who opened their homes up to us. We spent our free time that spring going to City Lake for picnics, where we would read devotionals and share music. We became best friends during this difficult time and grew closer every day. Although there may have been a hint of a twinkle in my eye earlier on, we were only friends for the next few years. By the summer of 2022, feelings had evolved past the point of no return. What is one to do? We went on our first official date on September 23rd to none other than Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. On October 22nd, Coleman asked me to be his girlfriend. (yee)

I thought we were only planning to go to Minnesota to spend time with Coleman’s family for the 4th of July. He said we were going on a “date day” since his sisters were busy and we should still enjoy our vacation. I was none the wiser. We went to a vintage shop, a diner, a science museum, and a park. The park was right next to the Mississippi River. At this point, I had figured out what was coming. We found a spot by the riverbed where we took a moment to take everything in. The proposal itself was very much characteristic of us: giggling and trying, not very hard, to be serious. Afterwards, we went to the Beckers’ for an engagement party.