In fall semester of 2022 at Tabor College, Aidan and I (Jewel) were in the same psychology class. That is where we came across one another and didn’t think much of it. At times, Aidan would take my college best friend and I to Rhubarb (his family’s coffee shop). Throughout this time, we can both agree we developed a crush on one another, but neither he nor I was looking for a relationship. Fast forward to March, during spring semester, Aidan had asked me to play basketball with him. It was a lot of fun, and it sparked more feelings for the both of us. However, it wasn’t until April one of us made a move. I decided to have a game night with friends just so I could invite Aidan to hang out without showing signs of my feelings for him. Unfortunately, my cover was blown when he walked into the room and my best friend said, “Who invited you?” and everyone looked at me. It was obviously God’s plan because 4 days later, he asked me out on a date.

Aidan and I decided very early on we wanted to get married, it was just a matter of when. After lots of talks and brainstorming, we came up with a date and decided right away to get planning. In October of 2023, we toured a venue, secured a date, and put down a deposit. Now, it was just a matter of waiting patiently until Aidan could afford to buy a ring. I teased him all the time about proposing and telling him no one has truly ever surprised me. Well boy was I wrong. One week in February, Aidan had my two best friends, Jacie & Jordyn from Tabor College, reach out to me to have a girl’s weekend. They nonchalantly expressed how they wanted to go to Coronado Heights and watch the sunset. Jordyn shared how her mom was wanting some college senior photos, and Jacie offered to take them since she has taken photos for others before. Although this seemed like a very fun plan, I had expressed to them I had a very long week at work and did not feel like traveling 45 minutes to hang out. Fast forward to the weekend, I was being a little difficult, but I eventually said whatever and decided to have a good time. After Aidan had “left” to go to Wichita to help his dad get a piece of furniture, Jordyn and I met up and walked to her dorm room where she got ready as we waited for Jacie to get done watching the Tabor Baseball game. Once we got in the car, the girls found ways to stall because we were too early. We got food at sonic, and stopped at a vintage store where we got a few goodies. We eventually made our way up to Coronado Height and got out. I stood watching Jacie get her camera ready and Jordyn trying to figure out good poses. Then, I looked to my right, and I saw Aidan walking towards me. I was speechless. I stood there in complete shock and so confused because he was supposed to be in Wichita. Once he got to me, he asked me to follow him. We walked down to this little spot that was decorated with candles, a charcuterie board, and champagne. Aidan expressed how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me in such a beautiful and meaningful way. Once he expressed everything he wanted to, he got down on one knee and said, “Will you marry me?” I, without hesitation, said, “Yes!” I could not have asked for a more beautiful and intimate proposal. The next day, we celebrated with friends and family, and the rest is being written.