Bethany & Ian met on an online dating app in January of 2024. Having just moved back home from Phoenix, Bethany was ready to find someone back home in Colorado who shared her values, faith & life goals. Ian works as a Business Intelligence Analyst at Air Academy Credit Union, and is continuing to pursue school for even more growth and knowledge. He is such a smart, witty, and inquisitive person who seeks out deeper understanding in all his endeavors. Ian also enjoys playing recreational hockey, working out at the gym with friends, trying new foods & making Bethany laugh. Bethany is currently at UCCS for a Graduate Degree in School Counseling & Clinical Counseling. She is hoping to work with teenagers & kids who are needing some extra support in their lives. Ian & Bethany balance each other out so smoothly, and have made true impacts on one another with their skills, life experiences, and aspirations for the future. Despite popular opinion, both Ian & Bethany tend to be on the more introverted side, but enjoy each other's company even in the quiet times. What caught Bethany's eye about Ian was his kind eyes, his loving smile, and his values. Once they both matched, Ian made the first move and asked Bethany to meet for a coffee at Starbucks on MLK Day. Ian arrived 30 minutes early, bought Bethany's favorite drink, and waited for her arrival. Bethany had made plans after the date, as a getaway excuse just in case things went poorly, but they had such a wonderful time that they stayed and talked for two hours! All she could talk about at her lunch with bridesmaid Kendall, was how smitten she was with him, and that she was so excited to see him again. By the second date, Ian was already meeting the parents. He drove to Bethany's house, walked up to the door, and the Witkops welcomed him in. Bethany was so impressed by his bravery, chivalry and manners. They had a wonderful dinner & conversation at Biaggi's, which has become a favorite date night location. On the third date, Bethany challenged Ian to tap into his creative side, and took him to Painting With A Twist where they painted a beautiful Colorado scape together. Both Ian and Bethany recall that the first two weeks of knowing each other felt like forever, in the best way. They instantly connected and quickly became smitten and inseparable. Some of their favorite dates have been: movie marathon weekends, hiking at Mueller State Park, couples massages, road trips, playing games together, among many other things. While Colorado Springs has been growing and growing, Ian & Bethany found that it really is a small world full of connections. They quickly connected the dots between mutual family friends, how close they live to each other, that they were both born in Arizona, and they even attended the same middle school, Mountain Ridge, just a few years apart. Even the groomsmen have all interacted with each other at one stage of life or another. Fast forward to December 20th, 2024 - The Proposal! Ian took Bethany to relive some of their favorite dates: they started out the day at Urban Egg for breakfast before going to a couples massage. After that, they went on a hike at Mueller State Park. Bethany has an inkling that today would be the day, but she didn't know exactly when. Nothing was more humbling and raw than to have Ian get down on one knee, on the dirt trail, both of us out of breath. He proposed at Peak View Pond, where we had lunch in a hammock during the Fall Leaves Season. Bethany couldn't have asked for a more special moment. Sparkling snow and gentle breeze encapsulated the private, life-changing moment. Through shivers and tears, she said "yes" without hesitation. That evening, we drove to Breckenridge, where we shared our first meal as an engaged couple. Both families have embraced Ian & Bethany as individuals and as a couple, and can't wait to see what God has in store for their future.