John and Kristen both studied mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They were the same year in their program, but they didn’t meet until their junior year while on an extended internship at an aerospace company in Madison. They later realized all of the missed connections they had leading up to their meeting, e.g. sitting in the same large lecture classes, coincidentally attending a Coldplay concert in Chicago the same night in adjacent sections, and Kristen probably making John food freshman year while working in the dining hall. While working together, John and Kristen would chat as Kristen was wrapping up her work day. They would talk for hours on end, only stopping when Kristen realized how late she was running to make it to her other job across town. After weeks of these long conversations, John finally asked Kristen if she wanted to have their next conversation somewhere that was NOT in the office. John and Kristen proceeded to spend a whole Saturday together, sailing on Lake Mendota in the morning, grilling in the park in the afternoon, and celebrating Kristen’s belated 21st birthday at the bars that night. Needless to say, their future hangouts quickly became future dates, including their first date at the Memorial Union Terrace.

After five and a half years of dating, John proposed in Kristen’s hometown of St. Louis on their trip back to the Midwest for the holidays. As far as Kristen knew, the day was going to consist of hanging out with friends, eating lunch at her favorite restaurant back home (Seoul Taco), and walking around Forest Park. What she didn’t know was that John had coordinated with Kristen’s best friends and family to surprise her. After a series of navigation mishaps and an extra order of kimchi fried rice, John and Kristen finally arrived at Forest Park where friends and Kristen’s family had been patiently waiting/hiding for 40 extra minutes in the rain. As we walked around the fountain at the base of Art Hill, John proclaimed, “Hey Kristen, what’s this over here on the ground?” and dropped to a knee to pop the question. After some sweet words and happy tears, John revealed that our loved ones had been watching from afar. Then everyone started emerging from their hiding spots. Our St. Louis friends and family joined us for an engagement party hosted by one of Kristen’s best friends’ family. After a few days celebrating in St. Louis, John and Kristen were able to continue their victory lap by celebrating with John’s friends and family in Chicagoland and friends in San Diego.