Engaged student couples tell their stories

‘Ring by Spring,’ an expression indicating engaged students still in school, has been tossed around collegiate institutions for centuries. The expression has certainly wormed its way into CSB+SJU culture.

According to the most current information from the U.S. Census Bureau, men get married around age 30 whereas women get married around age 28. In the 90s, it averaged 24 for women and 26 for men. 40 years prior—during the 1950s— the data averaged 20 years old for women and 22.5 years old for men.

While no longer the norm to get engaged at a young age, these Bennies and Johnnies are capping off their senior years with a ring on their finger.

1: Kendell O’Leary ‘24 and Brock Hildenbrand ‘23

Kendell (nursing major) and Brock (graduated business major) went to high school together. They have known each other for seven years and been a couple for six. They now are in the midst of their wedding planning.

Kendell’s take on their engagement story: “He proposed on the pier in Puerto Morales, Mexico, and our families ran out and surprised me.”

2: Isabella Gillman ‘24 and Noah Halonen ‘24

Bella (nursing major) and Noah (computer science major) have been going to the same schools since kindergarten. They started getting to know each other in the summer of 2018, after Noah moved seven houses down the road from Bella. Now, they’ve been together for about five and a half years and are getting married on Aug. 16.

Bella’s take on their engagement story: “One of my close friends from high school reached out to me to see if I wanted to get lunch and go to Munsinger Gardens after. I thought we were going to walk around and get some cute pictures together. Once I arrived, she had me walk down a path and Noah was waiting there to propose to me.

Noah’s take on why she’s ‘the one’: “There wasn’t a single moment that made me think Bella was the one, but after years of getting to know her, it’s impossible for me to imagine myself with anyone else. It’s effortless for me to be myself around her. She’s caring, genuine, beautiful and loving, amongst many other things. She has many wonderful qualities about her, and I can’t imagine starting a family with anyone else.”

3: Leah Fraher ‘24 and Carl Balfanz ‘24

Leah (nursing major) and Carl (computer science major) met during their freshman year at CSB+SJU through a mutual friend and have been dating since. They just celebrated their three-year anniversary on Feb. 7 and will be getting married in July 2025 at the St. John’s Abbey.

Carl’s take on their engagement story: “Leah is from Gilbert, Arizona, so we have to do long distance for every break. My parents and I decided to visit Arizona and spend New Years’ with Leah’s family. I tricked Leah into going on a walk on NYE around sunset, and on our way back to Leah’s house, there was a spot with flowers and decorations that Leah’s family had helped set up. I got down on one knee and after Leah said yes, they were able to celebrate 2024 with their close family and friends.”

Leah’s take on why he’s ‘the one’: “I knew Carl was the one not from one specific moment, but a bunch of smaller moments combined. A few of these moments include going on the chapel walk at SJU every year, even once in the pouring rain, sharing milestones of college together and how Carl is always my number one cheerleader and always is able to put a smile on my face, even when I am having a really bad day.”

4: Keturena Henrich ‘24 and Jacob Omtvedt ‘24

Rena (nursing major) and Jake (global business major) have known each other since the spring semester of freshman year at CSB+SJU, where they met playing basketball with mutual friends. Rena says her “missing the hoop by about four feet” may have caught Jake’s attention. They’ve now been dating for about three years and will be getting married on July 26.

Rena’s take on their engagement story: “I remember having my mom ask me to meet her on our backyard porch to check out some succulents she was going to split for my apartment. She then sent me further down our backyard to our fishing shed to see if I wanted to grab the fridge for my apartment. Although I didn’t want to use a fridge that had been used for fish bait for my apartment, I reluctantly made my way down to the shed. Once I got to the shed, I saw someone on our dock. I didn’t recognize this person immediately. Once I got closer I saw they were wearing a suit, and that they were sitting alone. After I got close enough, I could tell it was Jacob, waiting on the dock with a ring in his hand. Don’t ask me what he said because I do not remember anything from that point until two days later. I do know that he drove an hour and skipped football practice to propose to me, and wore nice pants (which is a rare occurrence), and for that, I am forever grateful.”

Jake’s take on why she’s ‘the one’: “[When I was getting to know her], she came over to my dorm to watch Nancy Drew, and afterwards we ended up just talking and I played my brother’s first dance song, “The Reason” by Calum Scott, because she had never heard it before. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but just looking into her eyes while she sat there listening to this song made me start to love her.”

5: Ellie Anez ‘24 and Christian Brink

Ellie (nursing major) and Christian (off-campus) met in high school and have known each other for about seven years. They have now been together for six of those years and are getting married on Jan. 4, 2025.

Ellie’s take on their engagement story: “For our five-year anniversary, Christian planned a little getaway to Duluth. We had planned a day to do the gondola at Lutsen. When we found the perfect spot at the Palisade Head, I took a picture of our friends first (they were basically making sure I liked the view), and then it was our turn to take a picture with the beautiful background. While they were taking pictures (and videoing without me noticing) he got down on a knee and popped the question. It was perfect and surprising and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Ellie’s take on why he’s ‘the one’: “He is my best friend and has been for the last seven plus years of my life. We have been through so much together and have grown up with each other. He also just brings out the best version of me and makes me better. I couldn’t imagine my life without him, and I am so incredibly excited for forever.”

6: Liza Parra ‘24 and Riley McRae Liza (biochemistry major) and Riley (off-campus) have now been together for four years and plan on getting married this December.

Liza’s take on their engagement story: “He came back from military training and proposed by writing “marry me?” with rose petals inside a heart.” Liza’s take on why he’s ‘the one’: “He brings me immeasurable amounts of joy. We bring out the best in each other, have similar values and have been able to grow together over the course of our relationship. My family and friends approve of him and think he perfectly complements me.”

7: Trista Theimer ‘24 and Sam Nagel ‘23

Your future hubby may be lurking around the dumbbells—at least, that’s how it was for Trista (nursing major) and Sam (graduated business major), who met each other in their high school weight room. They’ve now known each other eight years, have been together for over five and are tying the knot this August.

Trista’s take on their engagement story: “Our engagement happened in North Dakota at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is a special place to us, as that was the first trip we took together as a couple previously in our relationship.”

Trista’s take on why he’s ‘the one’: “If I’m being completely honest, there was no definitive point in time where I knew he was ‘the one.’ Over time, we just began getting closer and closer, and eventually we both just knew there wasn’t any other way.”

8: Emily Tjaden ‘24 and Gavin Stadler ‘24

Emily (communication major) and Gavin (accounting major) have Facebook to thank for their introduction to each other— specifically, the CSB+SJU Class of 2024 commit page, which prospective students used to find roommates and friends. Gavin reached out to Emily, and they have been dating ever since for nearly four years. They will be getting married on July 12 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Waite Park, Minn., with a reception in SJU’s Great Hall and Brother Willie’s Pub.

Emily’s take on their engagement story: “Last summer, Gavin and I were planning on having a picnic in the arboretum at SJU reminiscent of our first date in 2020. Little did I know that our plans were about to change. When I sat down, Gavin got on his knee and pulled out the ring. I was totally shocked. Gavin had remained so calm the whole car ride and showed no sign of nerves. Gavin also surprised me by having all of our parents meet us at the picnic spot for a celebratory champagne toast, a dinner at The Bowl and an engagement party out at the tiki bar and sand volleyball courts.

Gavin’s take on why she’s ‘the one’: “I think talking over COVID really allowed us to bond and gave me a good feeling about our relationship. We ended up having a lot in common and were able to meet up a few times before coming to CSB+SJU, despite being three and a half hours apart. I really started to feel like she was the one toward the end of our sophomore year. We are always able to work through our problems and figure them out. We embrace each other’s flaws and make each other the best versions of ourselves we can be. I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with her.”