Nate and I had mutual friends through Greek Life at Indiana University SE for over a year. One day, Nate tagged along to a shopping day with my friends and myself. We can both agree that’s the day things just clicked between us! The next day we went to a party and I traded Nate a shot of Jack Daniel’s for a kiss. After that, the rest is history!

About a year in I knew I would spend the rest of my life with Kaitlin. I had thought about how I would pop the question since then but never came to an idea I thought would sweep her off her feet, one that we would remember and cherish forever. Everyone dreams of this moment and I wanted it to be everything Kaitlin had dreamed of. Kaitlin's sister Kristin helped me find the perfect way to make that happen. Her sister had taken me to drop my car off and that was the day all the plans came together, I talked to her parents and asked for their blessing, in the process of delivering a cold six pack for her father. I picked out a ring that day, I had an idea of what she wanted but decided to go a bit off script but picked a ring I knew she would love. It was always important to Kaitlin that her Mamie Sue's diamond was used and with the setting I picked out it would take about five to six weeks to complete. Over those five weeks I had to make sure to hide every piece of mail or receipt I had from the event because I knew she would catch on quick if she saw anything from Koerbers come in the mail. I had to make sure to come up with a good plan to throw her off a bit so with the help of Kristin I came up with a plan. I got the call that the ring was ready on a Wednesday and after thinking about it briefly I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it a secret for long. I called her sister that day and before we went to pick up the ring we put together a plan to do it the following Saturday. We had talked about me asking her at perin park which is a sentimental spot for Kaitlin that her Gigi used to take them to as kids. We decided to go there and scope out the perfect spot, and at the end of the trail there was a beautiful flower garden. Right when I saw it, I knew Kaitlin would think it was gorgeous. I had been talking about taking Kaitlin on a picnic for months so I thought she wouldn't think much of a Saturday picnic date. I had to make sure her nails were done, which was something she always told me I would have to make sure was done the day I asked her to marry me. I asked her best friend to take her and after some teeth pulling she finally agreed to go. I also told her we should take some nice photos and dress up a bit more than usual. Kaitlin knows me so well this gave her a bit of a hint, but she still didn't know what was in store. That Saturday morning I woke up as jittery as I have ever been. I was so excited to ask my best friend to spend the rest of her life with me. While she was getting ready I thought of all the reactions she might have, and how excited I was to finally ask the love of my life to marry me. We hoped in the car with all of our picnic supplies and headed to the park, when we pulled in I made sure to park near the flowers. We got out of the car and as we walked down the trail I started shaking like a leaf, and asked Kaitlin if we could take some photos with the flowers in the back. She gave me a bit of a weird look but agreed and I put her phone on the cooler and hit record. I got down on one knee and asked Kaitlin if she would marry me and with big tears rolling down her face she asked me if this was real and said yes! I can only hope that she will cherish this moment as much as I did and will continue to do for our lives together.

For me, it started on Thursday. My best friend Hayley popped over to my desk at work and started bugging me about getting my nails done with her. Nate and I had loose plans that I didn’t want to break and honestly just wasn’t feeling getting my nails done. She was heading to a bachelorette party this weekend so I didn’t think much of it when she said that’s why she wanted to go. After some teeth pulling I gave in. Friday rolls around and Nate comes home with a charcuterie board and tells me he is taking me on a picnic and to dress nice so we can get some photos together. Knowing that he loves helping me out with my instagram, I didn’t think too much of it. Saturday morning we woke up and got fancied up for our picnic. While I sat at my vanity getting ready, I wondered if this what it was like to get ready for your own proposal. I’ve thought it was happening multiple times so this is nothing new for me. He took me to Perrin Park, a place that holds many memories for me, and acted like he never knew any of this. He even had a story of how his friend took girlfriend there and they loved the garden since the flowers were in full bloom. We unloaded the car and walked through the entry of the garden. He stops me and sets up the phone putting it on video, at this time his whole body is shaking and I’m ultimately confused. The moment he got down on one knee, I was in tears. We had talked about this moment for years and seeing it unfold right before my eyes had me stunned. I kept asking him “is this real?!” I just couldn’t believe I finally got to call my best friend my husband.