Benji and Karis met at their shared place of work at the time, inSPIRE Rock Climbing Gym. Over time and many shifts spent chatting and joking Benji and Karis began to realize they had feelings for each other. They started texting and hanging out and things were going well until one fateful shift together. They were both working an overnight lock-in at the gym with a group of Boy Scouts. They spent the time running around and playing games with the kids. Until Benji took one turn too fast and he hurt his ankle! He had to rush home and spend the next month and half confined to his house! Karis was devastated. Things had been progressing but now she couldn’t spend time with him. She impatiently waited for Benji to heal. But all the while God was working and giving them lots more time to get to know each other. When Benji’s ankle was better they went on their first official date at an aquarium. And the rest is history!

Benji and Karis were visiting their friend in New Braunfels for the week of Spring Break. They loved traveling to New Braunfels and it was one of the places that they had frequented before. It was also, consequently, where they celebrated their 1 year of dating anniversary. They spent the morning shopping with their friend and Benji’s cousins that had joined them for their vacation. Benji was dropping lots of hints and trying to help Karis pick out a nice dress. Karis was blissfully oblivious, suspecting that Benji had neither talked to her parents or bought a ring. Benji had in fact been planning this for a while. He had already asked both Karis’ dad and mom, bought the ring, and picked out a special place with the help of Benji’s friend’s mom. Karis was unsuccessful in her search for a dress but was happy to keep shopping with Benji. Benji, however, started to rush Karis, her friend, Amelie, had driven in from Austin and it was go time! Benji got Karis to come back with him to the house and suggested they go with everyone to a park. Karis was game to walk around and explore the beautiful scenery of New Braunfels in spring. Benji suggested that they both dress up fancy and have his friend's mom, Mrs. Julie, take some nice pictures of them. Karis was delighted as she loved to take fancy pictures. The rest of the party had already left to make it to the spot and get all set up. Amelie was hiding in the bushes. Benji and Karis traveled to the spot and walked over to meet their friends. They walked around the bridge and Mrs. Julie took some photos of them. All the while, his friends were waiting in anticipation for the moment, as was Amelie while she hid out of the way. Benji led Karis back to the front of the bridge and they continued taking photos. Karis was enjoying taking lots of photos and despite all the signs was still oblivious. Benji’s heart was pounded as he pulled the ring box out of his pocket, a jewel-encrusted sea turtle box. Karis was momentarily distracted and she turned away and that's when Benji dropped to his knees and opened the box. Karis turned back and was shocked to see him down on one knee. Benji popped the questions and breathlessly Karis nodded her head, still too shocked to speak. She held out her hand and Benji placed a beautiful aquamarine and diamond ring on her finger. She collapsed into his arms and hugged him. Then turning around she spotted Amelie. She was so surprised and rushed to hug her and all Benji’s friends as well. Karis couldn’t wipe the smile off of her face. They spend the rest of the day walking around the beautiful scenery and taking photos.