Our story began at Kansas State University in the fall of 2022, when we both moved into the same dorm. Despite living just a few doors down from each other, we didn’t have much reason to interact in the early weeks of the semester. Emma was actually afraid of Matt at the beginning of the year as she thought he found the freshman to be annoying, even though this was not true.

What started as a friendly conversation turned into regular hangouts. One night, the floor decided to go to Waffle House, and we "just so happened" to ride together and realized how much we had in common (Emma's plan all along)!

We discovered a campus swing dancing group and decided to give it a try. At first, we were terrible, but with time, we got so much better. It became our thing—a mix of fun, challenge, and connection that drew us closer together. Our shared experiences didn’t stop at dancing. Around the same time, Emma invited Matt to join her at Christian Challenge, a campus ministry group. He accepted, and together we began attending weekly meetings. Christian Challenge became an important part of our routine, offering a space to reflect, grow in faith, and support each other in our spiritual journeys. After each session, we’d sit and talk about what we had learned, sharing insights and building a deeper connection through these conversations. By the time December 2022 arrived, our friendship had blossomed into something more.

One evening, we found ourselves sitting on a couch in the lobby of their dorm floor, when Matt decided to hold Emma's hand. This resulted in Emma saying "Are we just going to sit here and hold hands, or are you going to man up and ask me out?" The rest was history. We started officially dating January 22, 2023, with a relationship built on the strong foundation of shared interests, spiritual growth, and mutual support. Whether it was working through tough assignments, practicing our dance steps, or attending Christian Challenge, we were there for each other every step of the way.

As the next few years passed, our bond only grew stronger. We continued to swing dance, spent late nights studying together, and supported each other through the highs and lows of college life. In September 2024, Matt proposed to Emma at Coronado Heights, a beautiful spot they both loved. He asked her to marry him, and Emma said yes without hesitation.