It was 2012 and Kurt and Marisa were both off to Athens, Ohio to start their freshman years at Ohio University. They lived on opposite sides of campus and didn't know of each others existence, that was until one Saturday night when Kurt saw Marisa at a house party and braved up the courage to get her number, and she said yes (for the first time)- And the rest was history! Just kidding, it wasn't that easy. Kurt was focused on football and Marisa was focused on getting into medical school so they continued to crush on each other from afar. They never happened to be single at the same time. Then in 2018, 6 years later- Kurt reached out and asked Marisa to hang out. Trying to play it cool, she reluctantly agreed. One trip to Ikea together and a shared bucket of crab legs was all it took... and then the rest was history :D

As any healthy relationship goes, it needs a little white lie. Kurt and Marisa (Murt) had talked about visiting their friends in Athens, OH and make an OU trip out of it as alumni. Kurt was in co-hoots with Candice and Ryan Melkerson to get THE weekend in the books and to set up “the plan” or little white lie. Friday night was casual at Shade Winery so we could be well rested for Saturday morning’s campus tour. Candice was the tour guide for Murt who acted as incoming freshman. Excitement filled Murt seeing what changes had taken place on the beautiful campus, reminiscing of memories that have been and soon to be. The weaving tour intentionally ended at Emeriti Park, across from the football stadium. In front of the pond, on the brick patio is where Kurt asked the question, and the ring found its new home with Marisa’s “YES”! Candice and Ryan were prepared with champagne to kick off the celebration, and the little white lie only grew. The first stop was Cat’s Corner. Walking into the “U” shaped bar with only a few random by-standards in site. A shot-ski was in order but before the ski could be raised, both sides of our family jumped from the other side of the bar for a surprise! It was the midst of COVID but the weekend chosen was intentional with a dead campus. Reservations were easy to make with a group our size, including having Jackie-O’s to ourselves. A few more stops where mandatory, including Tony’s Bar hot nut shot. DeWine’s order shut down bars and restaurants at 10 p.m. so what to do next… The white lie continued the celebration at the OU Inn, where Kurt had a suite booked for an after-party. The room was full of pictures, balloons and decorations wall to wall thanks to Kurt’s sisters and mom. The proposal was a day of ear-to-ear smiling and laughing as family members from one side got to meet family members from the other side. Memories created to reminisce during the next OU tour! A long day that could never be too long and went by too fast…could this be foreshadowing of the wedding? Join us 10/22/22 to find out!