We met in August 2023 at Moeller Brew Barn in Monroe, Ohio, not knowing that our casual first date was about to turn into a full-blown trivia competition. Neither of us had planned on playing, but instead of bailing, we teamed up and gave it a shot. The trivia questions didn’t leave a lasting impression, but the conversation did.

We talked nonstop, quickly realizing how much we had in common, including a shared French heritage. The conversation was so easy that before the night was even over, Kati kissed Carl mid-sentence, which was probably a sign that things were off to a great start. For Carl, there was an immediate connection—he thought she was stunning, smart, and incredibly easy to talk to. Was it love at first sight? Probably not. But there was something different about this one.

For her, love wasn’t instant, but it was effortless. Every date, every conversation, and every weird, hilarious, or unexpected moment made it clearer that this was something real. Then, one night, Carl accidentally let it slip and blurted out “I love you” while saying goodnight, surprising us both.

Since then, we’ve shared some incredible experiences, including seeing Badflower in concert that September, traveling to Arizona, completing a double-black-diamond hike despite having little hiking experience, and eventually moving in together in April 2024. These days, you can usually find us wine tasting, playing games with friends, or hanging out at home with our cat.

Even though Kati knew it was coming, Carl still managed to pull off a surprising proposal. He planned an evening that began at Bossler Mansion in downtown Dayton’s historic district, where he proposed on the grand steps. He even arranged for a photographer to capture the moment, followed by a photoshoot and an amazing dinner to celebrate. It was a little overwhelming, a lot exciting, and exactly how it was supposed to be.

From a trivia night surprise to moving in together, every step has just felt right. We’re excited to celebrate with the people we love and officially start this next chapter—married life.