Our lives first drew close when we entered college together at Point Loma Nazarene University. We first met though our participation in concert band (Kristofer plays the trumpet and Kaitlyn plays the clarinet). Despite our early interactions being few and far between, Kaitlyn developed an interest for Kristofer that first year, though she was too shy to talk with him. While it was not love at first sight it was something even better: love at first friendship. By our junior year we had become good friends through shared meals in the caf, involvement in discipleship ministries, and game nights with mutual friends. Through these times together we came to cherish more and more our deepening relationship. It also helped that Kaitlyn would often make applesauce and other treats for Kristofer. By our senior year Kristofer grew curious when Kaitlyn initiated staying in contact through Christmas break and Kaitlyn began to wonder when Kristofer would now wait for her to walk back to our apartments after band. Through the spring, we spent many moments together, often playing Rook (our favorite card game) with our friends Matthew and Michelle. By April, with the the imminent approach of graduation and intimate growth of relationship, Kristofer decided it was time to tell Kaitlyn about his feelings. After a long walk and a week to discern what our post-graduation relationship might look like, we took one of the greatest, yet sanest risks of our life and decided to start dating!

Our first official date was to beautiful Balboa Park in the heart of San Diego. This had become a special place for both of us as museum enthusiasts and admirers of lovely outdoor spaces. One of our most memorable moments was when a woman approached us as we strolled through the statue garden and offered us two free tickets to Art Alive, an incredible art-inspired floral exhibit in the San Diego Museum of Art. We finished our first date with tea from the Japanese Friendship garden, a walk through the rose garden (where we had our first kiss!), and dinner together back on campus (indicative of our joint-fondness of frugality). We cherished the two weeks we had together before Kaitlyn's graduation (Kristofer would go another year to complete his double major), spending nearly every evening together, knowing that we were about to embark on a long-distance relationship for our foreseeable future. For the next year Kristofer would be in Croatia for a missions trip, Portland for an internship, and Vienna for semester abroad while Kaitlyn would be in Boise, ID for her dietetic internship. Through this first year, we grew deeper in our love for each other through occasional visits and nearly daily FaceTime calls. During our four-month time apart while Kristofer was in Vienna and Kaitlyn in Boise, we made one of the best decisions as a couple for our relationship (even though it seemed a bit crazy at the time): Kaitlyn came to visit Kristofer in Vienna! We reveled in being together again as we explored the historic city, enjoyed the hot drinks and sweet treats of the Christmas markets, and made a day-trip to Salzburg. After another semester, Kaitlyn completed her internship and moved back to Orange County allowing for much more frequent weekend visits. Then in October of 2019, Kaitlyn was hired as clinical dietitian in El Centro and we have been grateful to be only a car ride away.

By January of this year Kristofer and Kaitlyn were committed to pursuing a life together. They had gone to several jewelers together and Kristofer mustered the courage to return to one and purchase the ring. Kristofer coordinated with the Offhaus and Labenske families to set the date of January 25th and the location at the gorgeous Cabrillo National Park (the location of our second date which would become one of our favorite places to return to). It was now just a matter of waiting. The anticipation continued to grow, reaching its pinnacle the night before the proposal when Kaitlyn said to Kristofer, "I thought you were going to propose this weekend." Earlier that day, the Offhaus family had driven down from Orange County and Kristofer had scoped out the spot with Kaitlyn's siblings, Andrew, Becca, and Jonathan, who would help take photos (check them out-they are amazing!). The spot Kristofer chose was a magnificent rock overlooking the ocean that we had sat on and dreamed about our future. The day of the proposal finally arrived and Kristofer had planned a picnic on the cliffs and a walk through the tide pools. It was a busy day at Cabrillo and we found one of the last parking spots available. Thankfully, the spot for our picnic was relatively quiet thanks to the crowd control of the Offhaus siblings. Kaitlyn began to grow a bit suspicious when Kristofer appeared rather distracted and rushed her to finish eating. After we ate, Kristofer led Kaitlyn down along the tide pools and up onto a stunning rock that jets out into the sea like the bow of a ship. Here, overlooking the brilliant Pacific, Kristofer got on his knee, presented the diamond which shimmered in the late afternoon sun, and asked if Kaitlyn would marry him. She said yes! On our way back we made a quick stop at McCullough park where we first decided to date, and then proceeded to the Labenske house where our families were waiting to celebrate. We ended the day with good food and fellowship.