Krista & Don met in July 2023

Don’s sister, Deb Dyvig, introduced Krista and Don. Deb met Krista in the summer of 2022 while working together for the Stillwater School District’s Adventure Club. Deb shared that when she met Krista, she thought, “She’d be perfect for Don!” She tried to get them to connect in the summer of 2022 to no avail. The following summer Deb & Krista were working together once again. Deb approached Krista with a slip of paper containing Don’s cell number. She gave the paper to Krista and stated, “I promise this is the last time I’ll bug you about reaching out to my brother.” Unpronounced to Krista, Don had told Deb not to give his number to Krista since he lived two hours away in Iowa. Thankfully, Deb did not listen to her brother! On June 24, 2023, Krista sent the first text to Don and within a short period of time Don texted back! This date is now known as their “Connect-aversary” (a term coined by Krista herself)!

This led to their effort to meet in person. They decided to meet at Salem Lutheran on the morning of Sunday July 16th, 2023. Krista was playing bells in the church Handbell Choir and Don said he wanted to hear her play. Unknown to Krista, Don had arrived early at church, so they were able to have their first conversation in person before the service. After church, they headed downtown Stillwater for Lumberjack Days. They walked the streets of Stillwater (several times) and enjoyed lunch at The Oasis Restaurant. They spent eight hours together before Don drove the two hours back to Lake Mills, Iowa.

Don & Krista originally planned to meet every other weekend, but that quickly changed to Don coming to Minnesota almost every Sunday. Krista visited Don in Iowa a few times. They enjoyed attending church on those countless Sundays together. Their afternoons were spent doing many outdoor and indoor activities – biking, kayaking, hiking, ice skating, going to the movies, playing games and going out to eat.

Before meeting Krista, Don had started (literally) building his home on eight acres of property, which he had purchased a few years ago in Lake Mills, Iowa. He currently lives ten feet away in a tiny house from the home he is building. After meeting Krista in 2023 the home project slowed down a bit as his attention shifted to dating Krista. He is now on track to have “their” beautiful new home ready to move into after they marry.

According to Don, he knew after four months that he wanted to marry Krista but wanted to ensure she was on the same page. On Palm Sunday March 24, 2024, Don proposed to Krista at the highest point in Minnesota, Eagle Mountain in the Superior National Forest just northwest of Grand Marais. After a moment of silence as Krista realized that this was actually happening, she responded “Yes, Yes, YES!” Quickly the discussion led to setting the date. Krista mentioned she loves fall – would it be possible to pull the wedding together in six and a half months? The fall of 2024 became the goal for them to wed. After touring many wedding venues, Kilkarney Hills Golf Club in River Falls had October 19, 2024, available. Salem Lutheran was also available for a wedding, so the date was set!

Krista & Don are excited to begin their married lives together

in their amazing new home in Northern Iowa!

God has truly blessed their relationship,

bringing them together in His time and

moving their hearts to fall in love!

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