Anneke and Sebastian met in the geology program at Calvin University, where a friendship slowly formed over countless field trips, labs, and classes together. After graduation, they were excited to learn they were both returning to Calvin for extra coursework. An attraction grew as they spent more time together in the mineral museum, at the rock wall, and choosing to be lab partners (again and again). Their classmates were placing bets on when they'd start dating—until they made it official on February 22, 2023.

From the beginning, their relationship was full of intentional conversations about goals, values, and what a future together might look like. They knew that if it was going to work, they'd have to first survive 22 months of long distance. In August 2023, Anneke moved to Flagstaff, Arizona to begin her MS in Geology, while Sebastian stayed in Grand Rapids, Michigan for his job in construction material inspection.

They called each other every day and visited every few months. After one semester apart, they were confident long distance would work and began discussing timelines for building a life together. In August 2024, they traveled to Alaska to visit Sebastian’s sister and brother-in-law, and Sebastian proposed on a hike in Denali National Park! (For those keeping track: that left 9 more months of long distance—past the halfway point! Also Anneke does not recommend planning a wedding during grad school.)

In May 2025, Anneke defended her thesis and moved back to Grand Rapids. Now, they are living in the same state for the final 5 months of their engagement! Sebastian is moving to the Ann Arbor area for his new position in the environmental sector of his company, and Anneke is applying for jobs to join him there this fall.