The seed of my relationship with Kristian was unknowingly planted the first time I met him in July 2023. Our first interaction was brief—so brief, in fact, that it consisted of the world's shortest "hi," the quickest wave, and an almost-instant realization that this was the kind of man God wanted for me.

At the time, I was receiving a school tour from our principal, and Kristian was busy moving and lifting equipment while playfully entertaining kids during Kinder Camp. That fleeting moment didn't seem significant at the time, and as the school year started, I tried to push aside any thoughts or feelings I had about him. But the more I got to know Kristian, the more I saw him for who he truly is—intelligent, strong, gifted, dorky, and, most importantly, stable.

As time passed, we bonded over shared interests, engaging conversations, and laughter. We talked about video games and trivia, exchanged snacks and treats, and even lent each other games. What started as casual interactions turned into a genuine friendship. I found myself waking up excited not just to teach but also to see him.

Then, in early January 2024, I suffered a concussion and had to take a few days off from teaching. Kristian, concerned for my well-being, came by to check on me. That simple act of kindness became the moment our connection truly blossomed. He even put together a thoughtful care package filled with Reese’s cups, homemade chocolate, Coca-Cola, purple Powerade, and—of all things—non-spicy buffalo chicken dip. Admittedly, I usually dislike buffalo dip, but his was so good it won me over. We sat for hours talking about life, our dreams, and what we wanted for the future.

By then, we both knew.

Our relationship grew naturally from friendship into something deeper. Over the course of a year, we built something that felt like it had been in the making for much longer. Then, six months into dating, Kristian woke me up from a nap one day and told me he wanted to take me to a jewelry store. That day, we picked out engagement rings and talked about what our future together would look like.

To keep the proposal a surprise, Kristian told me I needed to dress a certain way for each date he took me on, offering hints about what outfits I should wear. When June 2 arrived—the day he planned to propose—he told me to wear something “hiker chic.” With no clue what that actually meant, I panicked, overthought it for hours, and eventually called his sister Katy, who came to my rescue and helped me pick the perfect outfit.

Kristian proposed at Wegerzyn Gardens, in a secluded field of beautiful flowers. Lilies, one of our favorite flowers, surrounded us, creating the perfect backdrop for the moment we decided to spend forever together.

Now, we’re just two goofballs, engaged, laughing, and conquering life side by side.

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