We were in the same class in veterinary school, but because Peter was from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, he and several other Nebraskan classmates were separated from the rest of the Iowa Staters until third year. We only met early because we both attended an international conference for veterinary students - SAVMA Symposium - in Minneapolis, MN in April of 2015. We didn't actually meet until the last day, while waiting in the hotel lobby for the Iowa State vans to pull up to the front. I (Kathleen) noticed Peter sitting on his suitcase, chatting with the other Nebraska students in the lobby. Most of the other Iowa State students kind of ignored the Nebraska students - but not me. I remember standing aside and trying to figure out something to say that was friendly and memorable. Peter seemed to catch my attention the most. I remember being struck by his handsome smile and appreciative laugh. Eventually I went over there and, without actually saying hello to Peter, blurted out, "Hey, you kind of remind me of Peter Parker." Surprisingly, he didn't seemed phased by it. Someone else nearby asked, "Why?" so I replied: "Because he seems like somebody who looks unassuming, but is very powerful underneath." Peter just responded, "Well, that's funny, because my name actually is Peter." And that was it. I walked away. Some months later, I saw him again at school when the Nebraska students joined the larger class in Iowa. We became very close friends quickly and effortlessly after that.

It was a long time coming. The truth is that we became very close friends very quickly, and fell in love over the course of a million small moments. I (Kathleen) hate driving in the snow, so Peter used to drive me to class in the morning if there was even a chance of snow or ice in the forecast. Sometimes he'd show up to drive me even if the weather was forecast as clear. We were among the founding members of a competitive trivia group at a local British pub called the Mucky Duck. Since we started dating shortly before the 2016 Presidential Election, we also attended local Democratic political events together. There was also a standing "family dinner" at my house with mutual friends that Peter used to attend early to help with cooking - then stay late to help with clean up as well. We were primary sources of support for one another, sparring partners with debates, and the first number the other called for help when our cars broke down or needed something quickly. We built a network of friends around us and shared opinions, beliefs, and support in times of distress. Peter quickly and effortlessly became my must trusted and valued friend, but I was still somehow surprised (and enamored) when he introduced me to someone as his best friend in casual conversation. It wasn't long after that we found ourselves watching a lightning storm over the city of Ames while debating the crux of the Christian gospel. Suddenly, our eyes met, and it all seemed to click into place. Late one night, a few months later, I remember asking Peter what he would do if he wasn't afraid. I was expecting him to start a discussion about travel or vocational prospects or something to that effect. Instead, he paused and said, "I'd tell you how much I love you." So, I told him I loved him too.

After looking at some local jewelers and not finding what I wanted in-person or online, I (Peter) decided to broaden my search. On a whim the weekend after Valentine's Day, while Kathleen was working, I drove down to Atlanta to look for a ring. I didn't want to design it, I wanted to find it and it had to feel just right. At Highland Diamond, I browsed the selection and found the perfect platinum ring with beautiful engravings, just what I wanted. It was a piece from the early 1900s. I started talking to the owner of the store about vintage jewelry. After a few minutes, the store owner brought out a beautiful European cut diamond pre-1920s that would be perfect for the platinum ring. It was exactly what I was looking for. I just had to wait for the setting to be placed, which would take a few weeks. Someone had to sign for it, so I had them send it to the hospital where I work. As the delivery date approached, I received a call from the secretary in the school office saying that there was a package for me. The professors and secretaries in the office were as excited as I was to see the finished product and it was so great to share that with them. The week before lockdown measures started, I had the opportunity to fly home to visit my family in Omaha, Nebraska and show them the ring. This was such a wonderful gift. It made it so much easier to propose, knowing that I had their support even when we were unable to visit each other for a long time afterward.

On Easter Sunday 2020, a tornado tore through Chattanooga, TN, destroying a lot of the eastern part of the city. The tornado touched down 1.5 miles from Kathleen's house while we huddled in the bathtub with our dog, Elsa, watching local news coverage on our phones. Between the tornado and the pandemic, I (Peter) asked myself what I was waiting for to propose. The ring was burning a hole in my pocket since the previous February and I didn't want to wait anymore. Prior to this day, I had been slowly collecting decorations to enact my proposal plan. Inspired by the bowerbird, who decorates his house in blue to attract his mate, I decided that I would also use blue and shiny objects to show Kathleen how much I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. While she was working her swing shift the day after the tornado, which ended up running later than expected, I went to work, filling balloons, laying centerpieces, and making the house colorful. I showed my family and my close friends the decorations on video and told them that tonight's the night. As I drove home with Kathleen in the car, I was so nervous thinking about how it was going to play out. As we walked in to the house, Kathleen thought that Elsa had gotten into something with all the decorations on the floor. I told her that it was for her and to put her stuff down because I wanted to talk to her. I had set up an area for the proposal but in my haste and nerves, I knelt down about 10 feet away and started my proposal, asking her to make me the happiest man in the world and marry me. Kathleen started to cry and nodded profusely as I put the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly.