Iowa State Marching Band banquet 2017 was on the horizon and I needed a date. My friend, and fellow brother in Kappa Kappa Psi, Christian Loaiza, approached me one night and tipped me off that this girl on the cymbal line, Kristi, was interested in potentially going with me. Lo and behold, it was the same girl that I had recently mentioned how good looking she was to my good friend Jacob Ross.

Christain's tip gave me the confidence I needed.

One rainy night, I was sitting inside music hall surrounded by a group of friends. I saw Kristi walk by our table and out the doors. It didn't take long for me to realize that this was the perfect opportunity for me to ask her out.

I sprinted outside after her and asked for her phone number and if she would be interested in going out on a date sometime. She said yes, we parted ways, and I ran back inside to excitedly proclaim that she said yes. I was a little wet, but I was elated!

Our first date was on October 8th, 2017... yes, on her birthday! We went to Perfect Games for pizza and mini golf. It was a terrible mini golf course, but we made the most of it and we at least had good company!

We spent the next couple weeks getting to know each other better. Halloween was approaching and I had learned that Kristi really enjoyed going to haunted houses. So, naturally, we went on a date to the Haunted Forest in Ames!

While we were waiting in line to enter, an elementary-aged girl waiting near us was peppering me with needless questions and observations. Then she asked the only question I hoped she wouldn't... "Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend?"

In my mind, I was thinking "One slip up here and you're toast." Sure, we were dating, but Kristi and I hadn't yet talked about putting THE label on our relationship. We weren't Facebook official yet!

I nervously answered the girl and told her that yes, we were boyfriend/girlfriend.

Kristi and I talked about it later that night and cemented that we were in fact boyfriend/girlfriend.

In some ways, that little girl did me a lot of favors by asking that question. She jump started our relationship. In the Fall of 2017, not only did I find my date to band banquet, I also found my forever date :)

The Merrill Hotel, Muscatine, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel