We first met in high school at Portland Adventist Academy, where we both attended all four years. Captured here is photo of us together from one of our community service days. It's amazing to stumble upon photos like this when looking back!

Though we never dated in high school, we were friends who always respected each other. Here’s a snapshot of us at our graduation!

Funny story, Ivan had only one selfie on his phone from graduation and it was of us! It's amazing looking back on these little signs and see where we are now! God had this in His plans all along.

During the pandemic, our college, Walla Walla University, transitioned to fully online classes. Ivan was working and living at home and Emma was working in Yachats, OR, while staying with her grandparents. We shared an early morning biology class and became lab partners, where we instantly clicked. Soon, we were facetiming every day! Eventually, Ivan visited Emma at the coast, and this is our first selfie as boyfriend and girlfriend!

Our first holiday season together as boyfriend and girlfriend was wonderful. We spent as many days together as possible, decorating the house, baking cookies, and enjoying cozy nights by the fire. Here's a photo of us by the Mac Christmas tree!

Here's a selfie of us heading to church, all dressed up and excited to celebrate the Sabbath. Since the beginning, our relationship has been grounded in faith, and we feel truly blessed.

Here's a photo of us together, dressed nicely for a special occasion.

Ivan's initiation into the family? Oh, that was sealed with our family's non-stop, 19-hour road trip to California. Just a couple of hours in, he cheerfully remarked, "This trip is going by fast." We all laughed, knowing he had no idea what lay ahead. But he soldiered on and earned his place in the family with flying colors.

We had the pleasure of celebrating Ivan's 21st birthday in sunny California. It was the first birthday we celebrated together, making it even more special. This photo captures the joy and excitement of the day, surrounded by friends and family as we embraced the milestone. It’s a moment we’ll always cherish!

Here we are, enjoying a mesmerizing light show at the Living Desert Zoo in California.

Overall, our first trip to California was incredible. We had the most amazing time exploring, making memories, and enjoying each other's company.

Ivan performed as a soloist with the Walla Walla University Orchestra and absolutely crushed it!

Ivan is a first-generation American; his parents came from Ukraine and started building their lives here. We're so grateful for our love and to live in America, the land of the free.

Our first summer dating was a blast, filled with fun and countless trips to watch Ivan perform at various gigs. This photo captures us at one of those memorable locations, enjoying the music and each other's company.

We're finally in Walla Walla together at the same time! Here’s a photo of us at one of Ivan's performances, capturing this special moment of being in the same place, enjoying his music live again.

Here we are at Ivan's graduation! He completed a double major in four years with Business Administration and Music! He is the first in his family to get a college degree. Ivan's dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we couldn't be prouder.

Fourth of July! The fireworks were spectacular, and the evening was filled with laughter, celebration, and the joy of being together with friends and family.

We love exploring new restaurants and diverse cultural cuisines together. Here we are on a date, trying out some delicious dishes. Our favorite part is ordering two different things and sharing!

We absolutely love having fun together and always find ourselves smiling. Every moment we share is special.

Our second summer was just as vibrant, packed with even more gigs. Here we are, a year later, at the same location, reminiscing about the incredible journey we've shared. It's amazing to see how far we've come and how much fun we've had along the way.

Ever since we started dating, Emma has been promoted to passenger princess. She enjoys the ride while keeping the conversation lively and the music on point. It's a perfect setup for both of us!

Celebrating Emma's birthday together was an absolute joy! We made the day extra special with Indian dinner date and a surprise party with friends in the evening!

We love to go visit Jonathan and Sam in Spokane. Here we are on a beautiful walk downtown!

Ivan came to help move Emma out of her apartment in Walla Walla. It was a bittersweet day, filled with memories and a touch of nostalgia.

We took a wonderful trip to visit Ivan's brother and family in Florida. Here’s a selfie of us at the airport, ready for our adventure.

We absolutely love traveling together and had an amazing time in Florida! We can't wait for more trips in the future!

Emma had ACL surgery at the beginning of April. Here’s a photo taken towards the end of the month, when she was finally feeling better and starting to walk around more. We had the joy of going to church together, celebrating her progress during the recovery process.

At our favorite restaurant in Spokane, the Mango Tree. If you find yourself there, definitely check it out.

Emma officially graduates with a business accounting degree! Hard work, adorned with pink and sparkles, has culminated in this significant achievement. She is forever grateful for all the memories and to her professors and friends! God is good.

Date night in downtown Battle Ground!

We have such fond memories from Jonathan and Samantha's wedding! Ivan had the wonderful opportunity to play music, adding a special touch to the celebration, while Emma had the honor of standing by Sam's side as the Maid of Honor.

Traveling back from California after a wonderful Christmas break with family!

We had an extra special time celebrating at Davis and McKenna's wedding. The highlight of the day was when Emma caught the bouquet, and then Ivan caught the garter—what are the chances?!?! Talk about a perfect match! It felt like a sign of beautiful things to come.

Ivan surprised me with a day at the coast, and towards the end of the day, he proposed to me on the top of Cape Perpetua! I said yes! It was a magical moment, filled with love and the breathtaking beauty of the coast. We're so excited to start this next chapter of our lives together!

After Ivan proposed we went back to the beach and he had brought a whole charcuterie setup for us! It was the best way to soak in the excitement and enjoy the engagement.

So giggly and in shock!