Despite studying the same degree in Iowa City, Spencer and Hannah repeatedly missed their chance to meet. From mutual friends to an entire semester with Hannah as Spencer’s cell bio TA, their interactions never extended beyond, "here's your lab report." It wasn't until the summer of 2020, while Hannah relaxed with her NICU coworker Chris and his COVID pod, that they finally sat across a kitchen table asking each other, "why do you look so familiar?" They chatted, they laughed, but when later that night Spencer claimed to be "too tired to salsa dance," Hannah thought she'd read his cue correctly, and they parted ways after a friendly weekend. It seemed they'd continue circling from a distance until Spencer took the plunge, adding Hannah on Snapchat. She, however, didn't immediately accept, wondering who adds an unrecognized guy named "Dad" on Snapchat. Luckily, Chris provided the much-needed clarification. Weeks of chatting followed until that fall, when Spencer stopped by Iowa City to see Hannah on his way back from a backpacking trip. There, he made the fatal mistake of asking about a Dungeons and Dragons handbook on her shelf. Two hours later, sitting closer than strictly needed for a discussion on D&D combat mechanics, Spencer clearly made up for his summer's lack of salsa dancing.

After 4 laughter filled years together, Hannah was excited (to say the least) about getting engaged to Spencer. She'd seen the delivery truck drop off the ring despite his distraction attempts, and strongly suspected their winter break held a not-so-surprise proposal. Her prediction: a private hike on December 29th, followed by a walk with her friend Beth the next day, so she could share her happy news without delay. This was, to her displeasure, inaccurate. So on December 30th, 2024, Hannah somberly changed into comfy hiking sweats and drove to Swiss Valley, while Spencer headed to “the gym”. Beth met her with a matcha latte and her smiling 2-year-old daughter in either arm; both greatly lifted Hannah’s spirits. As they walked, Beth coyly asked how long she'd wait for an engagement ("A long time," Hannah answered, "but I wouldn't be happy about it.”) Her daughter kept Hannah distracted from any texts Beth sent to Spencer about their location. Even when a pile of white objects lay folded in the center of the trail, Hannah assumed it was just a lost scarf from a fellow hiker. Instead, it was matching white winter accessories, with a letter atop. Finally she realized. She read her letter (its contents remaining a pleasant secret), and donned her new scarf, hat, and gloves. She approached the bridge Spencer had decorated with assistance from his friend, who just so happened to be Beth’s husband. Spencer waited, flowers clasped, and Hannah's first words at the sight? "Hi." She couldn’t come up with anything better, because the not-so-surprise engagement was a surprise after all.