It all started in 2012 when Hunter Apple transferred from Isleton Elementary School. At his new school, Riverview Middle School, his class merged with the 7th grade. This was the first time he met Kiara, but being too shy, he didn’t speak to her until 8th grade. When that year came around, Hunter finally mustered the courage to talk to her after Kiara told him she liked his shoes. He decided the best way to break the ice was to give her a nickname... Kiwi. He had considered “Key Lime Pie” at first, but that was just too long for a nickname. Hunter also realized he was just trying to hard to "woo" her.

As they entered high school, they weren’t particularly close, but they shared a mutual friend group. Over the first semester, Hunter found himself trying to win Kiara over with card tricks in art class. Eventually, he decided to ask her to the homecoming dance. Knowing she was a soccer player, he made a sign that read, “Will you kick it with me at Hoco?” Kiara said yes, although at the time, boys and relationships seemed a little scary and gross to her. It wasn’t until much later, after spending time together at Mayfair, that Kiara realized just how funny, kind, and amazing Hunter was. Hunter still says it was the card tricks that did it.

From then on, they spent nearly every day texting and hanging out at school. On July 27th, 2016, Hunter officially asked Kiara to be his girlfriend. Before that however, Kiara told Hunter he needed to sit down with her father and ask permission to date her. Scared of Rich, Hunter still did it. Just to find out after he proposed that Kiara had made all that up. Their high school years were filled with fun, friendship, and cherished memories. For their final high school dance, Hunter asked Kiara to prom the same way he had asked her to homecoming, with a sign that said, “Will you kick it with me at prom?”

After graduation, they spent the summer together, making the most of their time before Hunter moved to Oklahoma for school. It was difficult to adjust to being apart after spending nearly every day together for three and a half years. The transition into new chapters of their lives were filled with uncertainty about what the future would hold.

Despite the distance, their relationship remained strong. Hunter went on to attend school in Butte while continuing to play football. After another year apart, Kiara and Hunter realized that long-distance wasn’t something they wanted to continue, so she moved to Chico to be closer to Hunter. Reunited, they navigated the transition from youth to adulthood, learning and growing together. But after some time in Chico, they both realized it wasn’t the place for them anymore and decided to move back home, where it all began.

Fast forward to December 17th, 2023. Hunter’s sister, Blake, invited Kiara out for a shopping trip to get more plants—something they did often. Blake, always efficient, usually goes in, gets what she needs, and leaves. Kiara, on the other hand, could easily spend hours browsing and leave empty-handed. On this particular day, Kiara thought nothing of the long shopping trip; she just figured it was her lucky day to wander around the stores a little longer than usual. Hunter on the other end snuck out with his Mom to go and find a ring. Hoping to find the right ring that day he was very happy when his eyes landed on the very first one he saw. Knowing it was perfect for Kiara.

When Kiara returned home, she found Hunter inside, looking a little anxious. She rushed in to use the bathroom, as she can rarely make it through a 30-minute drive without needing to stop. When she came out, Hunter was standing in the kitchen, looking concerned (hoping Kiara buttoned her pants back up after using the bathroom). Kiara, trying to gauge the situation, started to get worried, thinking something might be wrong. However, Hunter knew the perfect place to ask her was somewhere she least expected. So in the kitchen of their first place together. Hunter got down on one knee and popped the question. The rest is history.