During Winter Semester of 2024 we had two classes together: Computer Programming and a preparation class for the "Information Systems: Asia" Study Abroad. Even though we didn’t talk, we noticed each other. I remember turning around on the first day of class and seeing Spencer. Spencer remembers that day too—he even remembers what I was wearing—because he thought I was cute.

At the end of April, it came time for our study abroad. This is where we finally got to know each other. We spent a month traveling through Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. Somewhere between airports, bus rides, and late-night group chats, we became friends.

After we got home, we kept texting—but only about school. One night, I was talking to my friend about who I should invite to a concert and thought of Spencer. I nervously texted him: “Are you going to the concert tonight?”. I was too scared to invite him, but wanted to bring up something other than school. What I didn’t know was that Spencer had just been talking to his friends that same night about wanting to ask me out. He couldn’t come to the concert, but asked me out for that weekend.

You’d think that after spending a month traveling together, our first date would feel easy—but it was pretty awkward. We were both nervous about being in a “date” setting. Still, Spencer planned the cutest idea: he had me pick a few random restaurants, then spun a wheel to decide where we’d go for an appetizer, dinner, and a drink. We ended up at Chick-fil-A (appetizer), Five Sushi Bros (dinner—one of my favorites), and Dutch Bros (chocolate milk).Afterward, neither of us was ready to call it a night, but we weren’t sure what to do next. Spencer asked, “What should we do now?” Since he had planned the whole evening, I had no idea either. So we just drove around and talked for a while. The end of the date became somewhat infamous. Spencer later told me that a few moments thoughout our date made him feel like I might be friendzoning him. As I got out of the car, he crossed his arms and said, “Have fun in Powell!!” I felt so awkward. I just walked away, wishing he’d said, “Let’s do this again!” or given me a hug. Even though we both left feeling friendzoned, I made sure to tell him thank you for the date, and miraculously we kept talking.

Even though we had back-to-back trips that month, we texted every day. Between travels, we squeezed in little hangouts—like a picnic at Utah Lake and a late-night pazookie run. It was easy and fun to be together. On one of those nights, I went to watch Spencer play an intramural soccer game. We hung out afterward, watched a movie, and stayed up talking on the couch until 3 a.m. It was then that I found out Spencer had thought I was cute since the first day of class. He waited until I walked him out to kiss me. It was the sweetest moment, and I knew we’d start dating. We spent more time together from then on—going on hikes, boating, watching Spencer's intramural soccer games, and signing up for fall classes together. We became best friends.

In August, Spencer went home to Virginia for two weeks, planning to ask me to be his girlfriend when he got back. I could hardly wait. The night he returned, he asked—and we’ve been together ever since.

This day was incredibly special. I had a feeling Spencer might propose soon, based on a few subtle things he’d said that week. I knew he had a date planned for Friday and made sure to dress cute. Still, I wasn’t prepared for how meaningful and thoughtful the night would be. He picked me up around 6 p.m. and we grabbed Chick-fil-A (our first date spot), then drove to Utah Lake, where we had gone on our second date. When we got out of the car, he led me to the same picnic spot—this time with a blanket and flowers waiting. He handed me a note to read, and right after I finished reading, he proposed. Afterward, we went to The Chocolate and had pazookies with our family and friends (our third date spot) to celebrate. It couldn’t have been more perfect.