| Where It All Began | 7. 2. 2019 They had their first interaction with one another at a young adult group called C4. Karis had never attended before, and Kyle was volunteering at the ‘Welcome Desk’. After striking up a conversation, they quickly realized their shared commonalities—leaving them intrigued about the other person. As the weeks went by, their friendship was established and strengthened by conversation, group outings, and C4’s corporate worship. At this point, they were both interested in each other, and after C4 one evening, Kyle decided to ask Karis out on a date. | Dating | 8. 4. 2019 — 3. 29. 2020 Two dates later and it was official! They spent the next few months learning about each other, interacting with their two families, and understanding how to cultivate a Godly dating relationship. The more they saw the roots of the other person—their character, their spiritual walk, their family—they quickly discerned that this individual was someone they’d like to spend the rest of their life with. | The Proposal | 3. 30. 2020 The proposal was beyond what Karis had imagined since the day engagement entered their conversations. In the midst of COVID-19, Kyle’s family took a spontaneous trip to California to retreat from the current stress and uncertainty. Karis was overjoyed to make the trek with them, not even suspecting a proposal. Their time was spent camping, relaxing, and four-wheeling in gorgeous sand dunes. The sunsets over the dunes were breathtaking, and one evening, Kyle and Karis headed out on a four-wheeler to watch it set. As they stood on top of a dune, sky lit up with colors, Kyle prompted Karis to stand in front of him for a picture. Her back faced him, he “took pictures” (but was actually getting the ring box out of his pocket). When Karis turned around, he was on one knee, asking her to be his wife. She didn’t hesitate to say yes. It wasn’t the original plan for a proposal, but it was beautifully timed and so ‘them’.