Once upon a time (the fall of 2023), Kaya and Spencer met at Snow College. They lived in the same residence hall, attended the same ward, and shared a circle of mutual friends. Kaya was a freshman in the music program studying vocal performance, and Spencer was a sophomore working toward his associate of science degree.

At first, they were just friends—watching movies in a group, laughing over late-night conversations, and sitting side by side on the bus during weekly temple trips. But before long, their movie nights became just the two of them, and their late-night talks stretched longer. Something special was growing between them.

One evening, they attended an institute devotional together. As Spencer caught up with some friends, they asked if he and Kaya were together. Without hesitation, he answered, “Yes.” And just like that—on the Sunday before Thanksgiving—they officially became a couple.

Winter break came too soon, pulling them miles apart, but that didn’t stop them from spending hours on the phone every day. They missed each other terribly and counted down the days until they could reunite in the new year.

Through the months that followed, their love deepened. In the summer of 2024, they faced another season of distance—Kaya as an assistant chef at Brighton Girls Camp and Spencer working at a hospital in South Jordan. But frequent weekend visits kept their hearts connected, and they grew closer to each other and to each other’s families as well.

When fall arrived, the distance became even harder. Kaya returned to Snow College, while Spencer continued his education at Utah State University in Logan. Long-distance dating was challenging, and they soon realized they didn’t want to spend the next two and a half years apart. Conversations about the future turned into talks of forever.

During Winter Break of 2024, they cherished every moment together. Then, just a few days after Christmas, outside the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, Spencer got down on one knee and asked Kaya to be his forever.

Now, they are counting down the days to their wedding, excited to begin their greatest adventure yet—together.