Esther & Evan

Esther's first Lafayette Germanfest! The night where Evan lost his phone and found a girlfriend. This photo was and continues to be a tradition, but this is the first one where Esther shows up. 

The first official date! Unfortunately, Evan and Esther were too busy living in the moment to take any pictures, so here is a picture of the ice cream shop they visited!

Evan and Esther had a date at a local bookstore called Von's. There, they opened an antique copy of Ben Hur, and seeing the name Esther, flipped to a page and read this passage: 

"'And thou, Esther, what sayest thou?' asked Ben Hur. Esther came to his side, and put her hand on his arm, and answered, 'So wilt thou best serve the Christ. O my husband, let me not hinder, but go with thee and help.'" 

Having only dated for a month, they blushed and put the book back. But not long after, Evan revisited the store and bought the book, keeping it in his nightstand until a special day two years later.

An impromptu invite was extended to Evan to spend Thanksgiving with Esther's family. This meant that he met her immediate family, half the extended family, and many of her high school friends all at once!

Evan and Esther's first "fancy date" with a Christmas theme! They watched the Lafayette Christmas Parade, then had a very nice dinner at a local restaurant, Bistro 501 (which is important, I promise!)

The second "fancy date", celebrating the first 6 months together. 

Evan and Esther celebrate Easter with Esther's family!

Evan graduates from Purdue, so Esther meets his family for the first time. 

Naomi also graduated from Purdue the same day, so Esther and Evan's families met for the first time over the weekend. 

Esther's first trip out to California to visit Evan's family! So many amazing memories were made. 

Esther and Evan and family attend Evan's cousin's wedding on the Queen Mary! And so ensued a night of good food, dancing, and lots of fun. 

Evan and Esther are separated as Evan starts work in West Lafayette and Esther goes home for summer break, but they still find chances to see each other for dates and other events!

The second Lafayette Germanfest, with the traditional photo, of course. 

The first dating anniversary! Evan surprised Esther with horseback riding, and they revisited the Silver Dipper, where their first date was. 

Evan and Esther spend Thanksgiving with Esther's family again!

Evan and Esther celebrate Easter with Esther's family!

Again, Evan and Esther are separated for the summer, but along with many visits, they celebrate Esther's grandparents' 50th anniversary with lots of family!

The third Lafayette Germanfest, with another traditional photo. 

The first of a series of PSL (pumpkin spice latte) dates. Little did Esther know, this was all just a ploy to get her to wear a nice fall outfit for the proposal. 

The second dating anniversary date! Complete with a trip to the Indiana Repertory Theater, the Rathskeller (a favorite German restaurant), and a swan boat on the canal, just for the fun of it! (Esther was secretly hoping for a ring here but had to be patient a little longer.)

The second PSL date! And Evan continues plotting...