Nick’s version: Our eyes met twinkling from the intoxicating lights of late night marching band practice in August. I noticed Kari laughing with her flag friends and was instantly intrigued. Kari’s version: I auditioned for the high school musical the spring of my 8th grade year. I remember feeling really out of place during long periods of downtime in the auditorium. Nick was also auditioning, so of course he hopped up to the piano and led everyone in a rousing sing-a-long of “Lean on Me”. I will never forget how he was able to instantly put everyone in that room at ease.

Some stuff happens - we both graduated high school and college and became adultish.

Nick and Kari reconnect via LinkedIn over riveting tax questions, and Nick moved back to Wichita in May 2018. They started dating and have been inseparable ever since.

Our proposal was such a miracle. Nick planned a beautiful dinner on the beach at a private island just off of Key West. It stormed all day, Kari wasn’t feeling well, and the restaurant said no to the beach dinner because of the weather. Nick prayed all afternoon for a sign about whether he should still propose that night. The storms let up just as the ferry arrived on the island, and a gorgeous sunset appeared. After walking to the end of the dock to get a picture, Nick dropped to one knee and told Kari he didn’t want another Valentines Day or Birthday to go by without asking his best friend if she would spend the rest of their lives together. After first expressing concern about his suit pants getting wet, Kari said yes. :)