How We Met

It all started in the charming desert town of St. George, Utah, where med students were just trying to survive anatomy exams and the triple-digit summer heat. Alexa, an anatomy fellow and fourth-year med student, spent her days teaching first-year students how to navigate dissections and differentiate a tendon from “whatever that stringy thing is.” Meanwhile, Alex, a first-year med student, spent his days trying to keep up with the workload—and trying not to embarrass himself in front of Alexa.

Alex really liked Alexa but was hesitant to make a move with the whole “teacher” dynamic in play. After a bit of overthinking (and advice from friends and family), he worked up the courage to get to know her better outside of class. Fortunately, mutual friends started hosting gatherings, and they began seeing each other at parties, dinners, and post-exam decompression hangouts. Alexa, who even wrote some of Alex’s exams, kept things professional (and yes, for the record, no cheating was involved), but they both started to notice something special.

Their relationship took a turn one night at a bar when Alexa’s friend from Wisconsin came to visit. During a game of pool, Alex—normally a decent but unremarkable player—suddenly transformed into a pool shark, clearing the table in just two turns (literally the best game of his life). Alexa was impressed, and the rest of the night was spent dancing—badly, but with enthusiasm—and laughing until their cheeks hurt.

The next morning, Alex texted Alexa to see if he could join her for the drive to Las Vegas to drop off her friend at the airport. She said yes, and what followed was a road trip full of easy conversation, questionable Spotify playlists, and an undeniable connection. After returning to St. George, they stopped for breakfast at a cozy diner, talked for hours, and when Alexa dropped Alex off, he kissed her.

From that moment on, their relationship blossomed. They enjoyed dinner dates, hikes in the beautiful red rock canyons of St. George, and cozy Sundays spent at their favorite coffee shop, Café FeelLove. This became their special spot to sip coffee, listen to music, and just enjoy being together. They also shared incredible adventures in Southern Utah, including skydiving, spelunking, and hiking through the stunning desert landscapes.

Beyond Southern Utah, their relationship continued to grow as they explored the world together. They had fun along the way with a trip to Seattle and a cruise to Alaska, a relaxing vacation in Mexico, and family time in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Oregon, and California. They even had a fun trip to Wisconsin for a Badgers football game. Each trip brought them closer, and their time together created countless cherished memories.

In 2024, they moved from St. George to Layton, so Alex could start his third-year rotations and Alexa could begin her family medicine residency. A year later, they settled in South Ogden to be closer to the hospital for Alexa and closer to Alex’s rotations for his fourth year. Through every move and every challenge, their love for each other grew stronger, and their shared dreams came into sharper focus.

The Proposal

In Fall of 2025, Alexa’s residency retreat brought them to Zion National Park, a place full of beautiful hikes and memories. Knowing how much their relationship had been built around quiet moments at coffee shops, Alex planned a coffee-themed proposal. During a break, while Alexa stepped away for a moment, Alex carefully swapped her cardboard coffee sleeve with one that read, “Will you marry me?” It was their first visit to Café FeelLove’s Zion location, making the moment even more special. When Alexa returned and noticed the message, Alex was already down on one knee. They then spent a magical hike through The Narrows, taking plenty of pictures and proudly flashing the ring.

The Future

Alexa will graduate from her family medicine residency in Fall 2026. Alex will graduate medical school in May 2025 and complete his family medicine residency in Fall 2028. Together, they will work as family doctors, dedicated to caring for their community, sharing adventures, and, of course, enjoying plenty of coffee along the way.

A&A