How we began:

Anna: Ivan was in my college algebra class, and when we first met, I thought he was cute. He was a very quiet person and we didn't talk much at first. I would pretend I didn't get the math homework so he would talk to me. When I would see him at the music building, I would go out of my way to talk to him. I couldn't stop thinking about him, however, I was too scared to tell him how I felt. His smile and his laugh are my favorite things about him. Whenever he would laugh, it was incredibly contagious. He has a gorgeous smile and such warm eyes. Ivan was always a very relaxed and soft-spoken person, but he was hard to read. I didn't know if he liked me too, or if he thought I was a good friend. One time, he pulled me into a practice room and played a beautiful piece for me. I think that is when I fell in love with him. The way he plays piano is so emotionally rich, and I had never heard someone play like that. Halfway through it, I thought, "I wonder if he picked this song for me." But I thought that was ridiculous. I now know he did. I finally worked up the nerve to ask him on a date, to which Ivan responded, "Now was that really so hard?" Ivan had known the entire time, and was waiting for me to make the first move. Every date we went on, every second we spent together felt so natural.

Ivan: I first met Anna when we were in our college algebra class my sophomore year and I thought she was cute with gorgeous blue eyes. I would always try to get a look at her by pretending to check the clock behind me which she was right under. I think she could tell I was not looking at the clock. We didn't talk much at that time because I was nervous and thought she was there was no way a woman like that would talk to me. After casually seeing her around the music building I tried to talk to her more and we clicked. It felt natural and I could be myself when we would hang out. Her laugh was contagious and would always make me laugh as well. Her smile made it feel like time would slow down and I would try to make it last. There was one time where I wanted to play piano for her and I asked her if she could listen to my recital pieces as an excuse. I remember being so nervous because I had never played for anyone else at college besides my teacher. What if she thought I was lame or that this was creepy? Needless to say, that worry is now gone.

The Proposal:

Anna: Ivan picked me up from school on our one-year anniversary and we spent the whole day together. He took me to this Italian place in the Old Market for lunch, but it was closed until dinner time. We stopped at Upstream for lunch instead. Then, he drove us out to Standing Bear for a walk. We walked out to the floating bridge and we sat on a bench. He started talking. I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't remember a single word of what he said because it was so windy that I could barely hear him, and my sundress kept flying up, so I was busy trying to keep it down. It wasn't until he got on his knee that I understood what was happening! I jumped into his arms and started crying. Then, we went back to my house to show my parents the ring. It was perfect!

Ivan: I knew I wanted to plan my proposal around our first date and one of her favorite foods; Italian. I spent hours trying to plan out where to go, when to do it, and what to say. I knew doing it on our anniversary would make the day even more special and found an Italian restaurant in the Old Market. I pretended the day was going to be a nice date and I thought she for sure she was going to catch on. When we arrived at the restaurant it turned out to be open for dinner only that day and I felt bad. We ended up going to Upstream down the street and then headed for Standing Bear lake on the floating bridge. As we were walking towards the bridge my mind was racing thinking about what I was going to say and finding a moment where there wouldn't be a bunch of people around. We finally had a moment to ourselves so I got down on my knee and I asked the most important question in my life "Anna Elizabeth Freivogel, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

What I'm most excited about:

Anna: I am incredibly excited to spend the rest of my life with Ivan. There is no one else in the world I want to be old and gray with.

Ivan: I am most excited about going on so many adventures with Anna and whatever life has in store for us because there is no other person I would want to do it with.

A&I

Wedding Day