We met at a young adults church group in December 2019. Most people were socializing before heading into the service, but Kyrsten was sitting at a table alone, reading a book, having resolved not to talk to anyone that day. I saw her sitting by herself and decided to be a friend and go say hi. Two and a half years later, she is still my friend, my very best friend, and we are looking forward to a lifetime of joy together.

A few months into our relationship, I knew Kyrsten was someone special, so I built her a locked box, and kept the key. The intention was that her curiosity and anticipation for figuring out the great mystery of the box would grow along with our love so that when the time was right I could give her a moment that would be remembered forever. My goal was to give her the key to that box a few months later after I had designed and had a ring made, gotten her parents' blessing, and finalized the plans on how I would give her the key. That box sat in Kyrsten's room for a year and a half, and practically every date we went on was filled with "Hey, Tanner, can you give me the box key?" Having to say "no" every time got more difficult with each passing day, but I had a vision, and I really wanted to make the moment special. Finally, on August 8th, the stars aligned. At the end of our weekly Sunday gathering with Kyrsten's family, I gave her a picture book to read to everyone about our story together. On the last page, with the words "What happens next?", was the key. She immediately knew what it was and rushed to her room to bring out the box. With her family eagerly watching, and me looking over her shoulder, she inserted the key, turned it in the lock, and opened the lid. Inside was a rolled up note with a ribbon tied around it. Untying the ribbon and unrolling the note revealed the words, "Turn Around." When she did, I was there on one knee.