We are getting married

We first met in the most unexpected but meaningful way, on our missions in the California Santa Rosa Mission. Helena arrived in Santa Rosa on November 17th and had her first member meal with the Dalyrmples that same evening. Koen (then known as Elder Bullock) and his companion were invited too. That dinner was the first time we saw each other, and something about it stuck with both of us. As we both served in the Peterson Lane Ward, we saw each other often. We became good friends, or maybe even something a little more than friends, though we didn’t say it at the time. We shared laughs, meaningful conversations, and spiritual experiences that laid the foundation of something special. Looking back, it was clear that one of us started catching feelings. When Helena had to return home early due to medical reasons, we didn’t know if our paths would cross again. But we never stopped staying in touch, even if it was just little things, like a picture from IKEA of a stuffed pig (if you know, you know). Those small gestures meant a lot and kept our friendship alive. It wasn’t until I-Night at BYU–Idaho in Fall 2024 that we saw each other again. Helena had just told a friend how wild it would be to run into Koen, and five seconds later, he walked by. That surprise moment turned into a conversation in the Japanese Garden on campus where we finally talked about what we were both feeling. That night, we started thinking seriously about dating each other. We spent our first Christmas together and officially became a couple in January 2025. Since then, we’ve created so many memories: Valentine’s Day, General Conference weekends, late-night talks, road trips, and even buying a car together. Every experience brought us closer and made us even more sure about our future. Then came the day that changed everything, June 20th. Koen planned a trip back to California, and we visited some of our mission areas and caught up with friends. That morning, we did a sealing session at the Oakland Temple, where Helena had once felt prompted to serve a mission. Later, we drove to Bodega Bay, where Koen had prepared the most thoughtful proposal by the ocean. It was quiet, peaceful, and perfect, and of course, Helena said yes. From that very first dinner in Santa Rosa to now planning a life together, our story has been full of tender mercies, perfect timing, and quiet miracles. We’re so excited to begin this next chapter and are grateful for every step that brought us here. 💗