Our Story
How We Met
Eric: I first met Kyra when my friend Anna asked to bring her new roomate to brunch. I saw Kyra get out of the uber with Anna and it was love at first sight. I spent the entire day making sure I could sit next to Kyra to get to know her, try to crack some jokes, and hopefully get her to remember me. The more we talked the more I realized how much we had in common. From then on, I always asked Anna if she could bring her cool new roomate with her everywhere. Kyra: Shortly after I moved to DC, my Maid of Honor and roommate at the time, Anna, invited me to brunch with her and friends, one of which was Eric. Following brunch, we spent the day hoping around a few bars and Eric *conveniently* sat next me at each one. I remember talking a lot about our love for traveling and where we want to go (something we still love to do). When Anna and I left she told me she thought Eric had a crush on me. While I denied I thought the same, I was secretly very giddy about it.
When did you know you were in love?
Eric: Like I said, it was love a first sight. After meeting for the first time, it look a little bit for our first date to happen. After that, she met my brother and my sister in law. I could tell how much we all got along and how Kyra needed to be part of my life forever. Kyra: A couple weeks into dating, we were cooking breakfast together and singing to music. I remember the song "Loving You Easy" by Zac Brown Band was playing and I looked over at him and just knew.
How did you plan the proposal?
Eric: A few years back, I drove through Malibu with my parents. I was blown away by how pretty it was and something in the back of my head was telling me this would be a good place to propose. Luckily, Nebraska played football against USC in LA. That was the perfect cover story to go to LA for the game with my parents who live in Nebraska. I found a nice winery in Malibu and booked a private tour. Looking at the pictures, I knew it’d be the perfect place. Kyra’s friends and family live in California, they were kind enough to travel to LA and join us for dinner after the proposal, making it a memorable night with friends and family.
How did you feel before, during, and after the proposal?
Eric: I was most scared about forgetting to bring the ring with me on the plane and hiding it from Kyra beforehand. When the time came at the winery I was super nervous. I asked the question and getting an “oh man” from Kyra was nerve wracking. Luckily, she said yes and it was the best moment of my life. We spent the next hour or so drinking wine and being with each other. After that, we had a fun dinner with friends and family. Kyra: I was pretty oblivious the day of the proposal. When we first started our tour I could tell Eric seemed nervous. I had been dreaming of this moment for so long, I'm embarrassed to admit I said "oh man" as Eric got down on one knee because I was in complete shock. It quickly became the most wonderful moment of my life. I had so much fun celebrating with Eric over the next hour and could not stop looking at the ring. I was in complete shock yet again, when my family, Eric's parents, and friends surprised me and we all had an incredible dinner together.
What are your favorite things to do together?
Eric: I’ve definitely made Kyra into a football fan, so I always enjoy watching a game with her. We love to go on walks, hike, and just hang out. It’s so much fun to travel with her and discover new places with her and share those experiences. My favorite thing is to play with our niece and nephew with her. Kyra: My favorite thing to do with Eric is going on a long hike. We have so many different conversations throughout the trail from random facts we've heard, reminiscing on a memory, or talking about future goals. I also love to travel with Eric. Our love of travel is one of the things we first bonded over and it is so much fun to share new places together.
What’s your favorite trip you’ve taken together?
Eric: Definitely Peru. We did a 4 day/3 night hiking trip. It was definitely an experience sharing a tent together after an exhausting day of hiking but we had so much fun together. The mountains were beautiful and exploring ancient sites was a once and a lifetime experience! Kyra: I can't decide between our visit to Munich or trip to Peru. We had a short trip to Munich in October 2023 and it was so special because I was able to show him my favorite spots I went to growing up and introduce him to my cousin Paulina. We hiked the Inca Trail in October 2024. It was one of the most physically exhausting thing we've done, but I was so proud of us for accomplishing it together and taking in the views and ancient sites was magical.
What are you most excited about for the future together?
Eric: To start a family. I can’t wait to jump into that experience with her. Kyra: To start a family together :) But also to keep traveling to new places together!
