It all started with a look. An inconspicuous, innocuous, inert look.

Karen, during an idle moment of conversation, mentioned her eye freckle, a small patch of discoloration in her left iris. Zach looked into those eyes, and his heart smiled.

Over the next few years, their relationship was defined by work, as they both worked with IUP’s campus programming board, Karen as graphic designer and social media manager and Zach as advisor. This environment kept them at arms reach from each other.

Eventually, because of mutual friends and Karen’s departure from the organization, a budding friendship started. At first, only hanging out as part of a group, and as time went on, spending time and having fun and laughing just the two of them.

Much like a fire, it started small; a spark felt here, or a brief touch shared there. Neither one quite sure at first how to explain the feelings beyond friendship. But the fire continued to grow bit by bit, baby step by baby step. And finally, hands interlocked, lips met, and eyes couldn’t look away; the relationship formally started on July 8, 2017, under the stars, at the Pittsburgh LanternFest. Karen and Zach landed on that day after a beautiful, lakeside walk and conversation when Zach surprised Karen by driving out to Doylestown.

That summer was full of relationship firsts as Karen and Zach continued to fan the flames of their love towards each other.

The coming years saw ups and downs; at times, it wasn’t clear where the relationship would go. But, the good far outweighed the complicated, and the happy couple traveled (ask them about their New England Road Trip), drank (ask them about their favorite breweries), ate (Zach knows the way to Karen’s heart through pasta), crafted (so many projects during COVID), and grew (plants and love).

It culminated on July 29, 2020, as Zach dropped to one knee in Tohickon State Park in Bucks County, and asked Karen to be his bride. The two made a promise to each other that day: that we would make the rest of our lives beautiful together. We appreciate you being a part of that promise on August 28, 2021.