Every great love starts with a great story, and this story is a great one. Our story began on August 28th 2022 when I (the groom) started scrolling on Snapchat and came across a photo posted by a KSU wildcat friend (Sophia) of her and the most beautiful girl, celebrating her birthday on my birthday. It took several hours of encouragement to message my fellow K-Stater to ask for her friend's phone number. Finally, I decided to text her to set up a date to meet my future wife. Fast forward a few weeks to our very first date! (It took me at least 2 weeks of texting to get her to finally meet me, if I had it my way we would've met the very next day). I had to use my adorable black lab, Stella, to convince Kaitlyn to meet me at the Shawnee Mission dog park. As I pulled into the parking lot, I realized I truly don't know what this girl looks like outside the one picture Sophia posted. Once I got Stella and I out of my truck, I scanned the whole parking lot trying to find the stunning birthday girl I saw in the photo. Then across the parking lot stood a short girl, wearing a black ball cap hat, standing next to her car. As I stared at her, I remember thinking, "please God, let that be her." She immediately took my breath away. Stella and I walked up to her and I nervously said, "Kaitlyn?" God most certainly answers prayers. We immediately connected over our love for dogs, Taylor Swift, and other shared hobbies. Most first dates are awkward or very nerve-racking. However, our first date was the complete opposite. Conversation came easy, it was like we already knew each other. We left the date already planning our second one. July 20th, 2024 I got down on one knee and asked the love of my life, the only thing I really want in life, for her to marry me. Before we get into this story, let me start by saying this was by far the most stressful and difficult thing to plan. About 5 months before the proposal, I talked with Kaitlyn's family to tell them my intentions for their daughter and approval on my engagement planning. Surprisingly, her family accepted my proposal to allow me to marry their daughter. Now I need to find a ring. For a while, I have been looking for an engagement ring for Kaitlyn. I quickly learned that ring shopping is not easy. I turned to Kaitlyn's mom and grandmother for help. Nana graciously gave me her wedding ring to give to Kaitlyn. This was amazing as I know this ring holds sentimental value. Us three visited several jewelry stores to see if they can help us take Nana's ring and transform it into something we know Kaitlyn would love. We finally found the perfect style at Meirottos. FINALLY, we are getting to the end of the story. The proposal. This proposal was anything but simple. The proposal was planned as follows: 1. Reach Vail, Co. Spend time at Vail with Kaitlyn and her family/build courage. 2. Read over speech every night before bed without Kaitlyn knowing. 3. Ask Victor to role play but get denied. 4. Go to the Horse Stables to ride the horses up the mountain. 5. Reach the top of the mountain and take in this stunning view (no, not Kaitlyn, the mountain! And Kaitlyn :) 6. Ask Victor and the trail guide take photos, get on one knee. 7. Deliver the best proposal speech ever made (JK I completely bombed it). 8. SHE SAYS YES! 9. Surprise Kaitlyn with inviting my family to celebrate with us at the end of the mountain 10. Everyone goes to a bar to celebrate and surprise Kaitlyn again with more of her friends and family waiting for us at the bar to celebrate. 11. Have an amazing rest of the vacation with my fiancé. 12. Get home safely (we ran into a slight problem with this one but it's okay cause we all managed to get home). And that is our shortened story. I can't express how excited I am to finally tie the knot with my soulmate. Kaitlyn and I appreciate everyone's love and support the last few years. We cannot wait to celebrate with all of you! -Tanner Tyson