His:
Victoria and I met on the dating app B*mble (no free ads). We texted back and forth for a week or 2, as I tried to impress her with my witty banter and insightful discourse. Soon, it was time to meet. I drove down to Iowa City to pick her up for a Tuesday night dinner. All along the drive, there were multiple hawks and eagles that continually swooped my car. A good sign. I’ll never forget seeing her come around the corner from her apartment and getting immediate butterflies. She was even more beautiful in person (and shorter, too!). We went to a local burger place and my heart was aflutter when I noticed she cleaned her whole plate before me. She ran 12 miles earlier that day and was literally starving. I was already taken with her energy and dedication. Conversation flowed effortlessly throughout the night, even as I had to mask my anxiety of seeing the Cubs blow a 13 inning Wild Card Game on all the TVs around the room. We never looked back, continuing to see each other and make the drive between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City several times a week, if necessary. Within a month, I think we both knew we were here to stay.
Hers:
Unsure of how to make the first move (because we met on the app Bumble, where the woman has to initiate conversation), I decided to make it a game. I asked Luke for “two truths and a lie”. Luke not only responded but received bonus points for giving me three truths and a lie. Less than 2 weeks later, on October 2, 2018, we went on our first date downtown Iowa City. I remember thinking “wow, this guy must be confident” because he suggested we get dinner at one location and drinks somewhere else before the date even started! We went to Short’s (where I ate my entire burger and fries!) and then to The Vue for some rooftop cocktails and conversation. Unfortunately, the TVs in the background showed that the Cubs had lost and ended their playoff stint that night, but I knew I had won with Luke.
His:
It’s hard to try to sum up our 3-4 years of dating in a small blurb, but if I have to, the first word that comes to mind is “Support.” Through all of the ups and downs, I feel like Victoria and I have always had each other’s backs. For both of us, the last several years have been marked by personal periods of uncertainty, or even dread, trying to determine our future career paths and where we wanted to physically live. During it all, I’ve felt unrelenting support from Victoria, and I hope she feels the same love from me. If we can conquer those types of days together, then our future is only bright.
I wouldn’t say Victoria is my best friend. I have a lot of friends, and I’ve never felt a strong urge to marry one of them. She is the best partner I could ask for. With her support, we’re just getting started.Hers:
I don’t remember ever having the conversation of “becoming official” because I don’t think it needed to be said. Dating Luke felt so natural. It’s like our souls have known each other much longer than our minds have. On a cold night in January, Luke was looking at me with especially loving eyes, and before he could even utter anything out loud, I said “I love you, too”. Yes, he said it back. My favorite things about dating Luke are going on wine walks (yes, this was a pre-quarantine activity that only increased during the days of social distancing), having lazy Sundays, and traveling to places like Cancun, Denver, and Park City. Luke has taught me that it’s ok, and even desirable, not to have every weekend booked up 6 months in advance. He has opened my eyes to the world of movies, rap music, and podcasts. There is nobody else I would rather adventure with or quarantine with than Luke.
His:
In February 2021 I bought an engagement ring in Iowa City. And for the next several months, I guarded and protected it like Frodo being tasked to carry the One Ring to Mordor. I hid it deeply within my camera bag, and I waited. And waited. Contrary to what the haters may tell you, I was not lollygagging because of nerves alone. From the start, I knew I wanted to propose to Victoria once we figured out where our long and winding job/city search would take us. I got a job in Des Moines and moved that June, and Victoria was right behind me in July. Always true to my word, I proposed the first night we stayed in our new apartment together. No one was around. Just me and her in our new living room. I was a little too nervous to remember everything I said, but I’m sure it was great. I do remember what song was playing when I got down on one knee, but it’s going to take quite a few cocktails to get that kind of information out of me.
Hers:
After accepting his dream job, Luke moved to Des Moines in June 2021. I was actively searching for a new job, living most of the time in Iowa City, and commuting to Des Moines once or twice a week. On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, I had finished moving the rest of my belongings to Des Moines and was trying to unpack and get everything done before Luke got home from work. I was almost done when he walked through the door with a beautiful bouquet of red roses. He said he was so excited that I had officially joined him in Des Moines. I told him I had a present for him and asked him to close his eyes. I bought him a bracelet, somewhat as a joke, because he was always stealing my hair ties and I decided he should have something of his own to wear around his wrist. It wasn’t for a couple more HOURS that Luke asked me to close my eyes and said that he had a present for me. My immediate thought was, is he going to propose?!? No way could he be proposing. When Luke came back into the living room, I could feel him get down on one knee. He never told me to open my eyes but that might have been a blessing because then my hearing was extra sharp. At the end of a heartfelt message, Luke said “Victoria Claire Walstrum, will you marry me?” and I said “YES!”