Katie and Caleb first met in high school when they were just 15 and 16 years old. Their very first encounter happened on a basketball court during summer practice, when a few of the boys joined the Lady Dawg team for a scrimmage. Katie and Caleb ended up on the same team… and immediately clashed. Caleb, for reasons that still make them laugh today, refused to pass Katie the ball. Her first impression was simple: Wow. I really don’t like this guy. But somewhere between that scrimmage and the months that followed, something deeper began forming. By the next track season, they started talking more—then laughing, then realizing just how much they had in common: the same love for family, the same faith, the same drive in sports, even the same lunches at school. And long before anything official happened, Katie felt it—a pull toward Caleb she couldn’t explain, couldn’t ignore, and couldn’t shake. She would later realize it was God gently nudging her heart in the right direction. Their first real hangout came when Caleb sent a message that will forever live in their relationship hall of fame: “Do you wanna hang out? All my other friends are busy.” Not exactly smooth… but Katie said yes anyway. So they went to the community center gym, played basketball, talked for hours, and something real began. Soon after, Caleb invited Katie to a food truck festival after learning she had never tried funnel cake. They talked, laughed, stood in line, and shared dessert—unknowingly going on their first real date. A few weeks later, after cross country camp, their feelings were impossible to deny. One day, Caleb quietly asked Katie, “If I wanted to date you, would I need to ask your dad?” She smiled and said yes—and that he would really appreciate that. That weekend, Caleb invited her to the drive-in movie theater. When he picked her up, Katie’s dad happened to be polishing his shotgun. Caleb walked her to the door, told her to wait in the truck, and went inside to ask permission to date her. He was given a yes—along with the responsibility to take care of her. Later that night, after the movie, Caleb finally asked Katie to be his girlfriend. Her answer was easy: “Duh.” Six months later, they told each other they loved each other—and meant it with everything in them. After high school, Katie left for Missouri State University. What followed were years of long-distance—phone calls every night, missed moments, quick visits whenever they could, and learning how to love each other through distance, time, and sacrifice. Caleb went on to play college basketball while Katie continued running cross country and track. Later, Caleb moved to work while Katie continued school—still hours apart, still choosing each other every day. Through it all, their love only grew stronger. When Katie graduated with her master’s degree, she moved home to Van Buren—and just one week later, Caleb proposed at their family farm, in front of the lake, surrounded by the people they love most. And of course, just like he did years before, Caleb first asked Katie’s dad for his blessing—because that’s who Caleb is. They had always said, One day we’ll be together. One day we’ll get to live life side by side. One day we’ll start forever. Their love story was never one of holding each other back. Instead, they chased their dreams—miles apart at times—while fully, fiercely, and wholeheartedly supporting each other’s goals. Through every season of distance, sacrifice, and growth, they chose each other again and again. That “one day” is finally here. And they cannot wait to spend the rest of their lives building a life, a home, and a family together.