Our story starts down in Carbondale, IL where we both were in our first year of medical school. I (Kara) was in the Physician Assistant program and Kyle in the MD program. Every year our two programs host a mixer for the two classes. Our class officers decided that to make it more enjoyable we should have it at the SIU Homecoming Tailgate! I was able to attend the mixer, which ended up being so fun, but Kyle could not since his family was in town visiting. Luckily, our two friend groups got along extremely well at the mixer and agreed to meet up later that night at the Pinch Penny Pub. The Chicago Cubs were playing that night in the NLCS so we obviously had to go watch! A few of my friends and I were the first from our class to show up and recognized a couple guys from the MD class already sitting at a table. When we walked up to their table I saw Kyle for the first time and thought “Wow, he is pretty cute!”. Throughout the rest of that night we continued to talk and get to know eachother better while enjoying a Cubbie win and Mike&Joe playing some great 90’s throwback tunes. From that night on we continued to get to know one another and we are both so thankful it turned into an amazing relationship.

Kyle and I were lucky enough to enjoy our first vacation together on the beautiful island of St. Lucia. After being there for two days we decided to go explore more of the island on the Tet Paul Nature Trail. This trail is a very mild hike but there are three beautiful lookouts along the way that allow for breathtaking views of the southern aspect of the island. We started our hike and got to the first lookout point, as expected the views were amazing! I (Kara), of course, was busy taking pictures on my phone and polaroid that we could look back on. Kyle initially wanted to propose at that lookout but by the time I was finished taking pictures another group was walking down to the same area. Kyle definitely was not trying to propose in front of a large group! So, we move on to the second lookout, a group is there as well. We check the third lookout, another group getting a tour. At this point, Kyle is tempted to just get down on one knee between the two lookouts at a small shack where a local is selling goods. Luckily, the group at the second lookout starts making their way up to the third so we can enjoy the space by ourselves. I once again take my phone and camera out to document the views. Well, as I am taking a panoramic picture of Petit Piton on my phone, Kyle realizes this is his moment to ask. I eventually turn around to hand Kyle my phone so that he can put it back in our bag and there he is, on one knee, with ring in hand. Despite wanting to say more, he kept it sweet and simple by asking me if I would marry him. After asking if he was kidding, I of course said yes with the beautiful Pitons and Carribean Sea in the background. It was truly the best start to our vacation and made the rest of it that much sweeter.