Little did Kristen and Carlos know that the stranger they were dancing with would be the person they would one day marry. Kristen and Carlos first met at Bethel University's Swing Dance Club in September of 2015. It was fun but they hardly said a word to each other until 8 months later when they randomly ran into each other between classes one day. After some conversation, Kristen realized two things about Carlos: 1) He was apparently nerdier than she was and 2.) He had a car. The car part was important because she needed a ride to the 'Swinging on the Lake' event Bethel hosted at Como Park. So naturally, they went together with a group of friends.

It would be a full year later before they would talk again. By that point they were both working for Bethel's Dining Center. Striking up conversation, they found out that they were both going to be working at the same Bible camp all summer: Trout Lake Camps. They also found out that they both had been promoted to Student Managers for Bethel's Dining Center that following semester so it looked like they'd be running into each other more often. In those first two weeks of training to be Cabin Leaders at Trout Lake Camps, Kristen realized that there was more to Carlos than having a car and being nerdy. She found out that he had a incredible love for the Kingdom of God and a passion caring for children that radiated joy and Christ's love.

On their weekends off at Trout, they spent time together with a wonderful group of friends that they still hold dearly to this day. At one point they were assigned as Brother and Sister Cabins for a week. Their campers got to spend time together in activities and games so naturally they did as well. Carlos wondered if Kristen liked him, he focused mostly on the campers but part of him would think about her. One day, much to Carlos (and especially to Kristen's) surprise, Kristen uncharacteristically admitted, "I like being near you." Kristen, at this point, simply liked Carlos as a friend. Carlos, having his suspicions from before, was then certain that Kristen liked him more than just friends even if it was months before Kristen would realize it herself. Ask any of their friends though and by this point they'd say there was clearly something growing between the two :)

Once the summer was over, they began training to become Student Managers at Bethel. It was then that they became very close. They were always laughing and smiling around each other, and spent a good amount of time talking and hanging out. Eventually, Carlos asked if Kristen wanted to be more than friends (cue Kristen finally realizing that she had strong feelings for him). However, Kristen responded by saying that she needed time to pray over it and look inwardly. Carlos was certain that she was trying to nicely let him down and didn't want to date him (but by that point, oh she did!) To his surprise, one month later Kristen was ready. On October 4th 2017, they officially starting dating. Their first date was to the Wild Rumpus, a place that not only has books but animals. It was a perfect choice for Kristen who loved both dearly.