Picture a Nicholas Sparks book crossed with your favorite romantic comedy crossed with the Valentines isle at Walgreens on Feb. 13. That is the feeling you get when you hear about this week’s campus celebrity’s love story with her Military man Chris. If you’ve ever been in a long distance relationship—no Betchel Hall to McCarthy Hall does not count— you know that it’s never easy. Grad student Stephanie Pietig has an inspiring story that will make even the Grinch of Valentines Day’s heart grow a few sizes bigger.
How many times have you not listened to your best friends advice and regretted it? Thank her. Right now. Stephanie can vouch that friends are always right because she wouldn’t have met her man without the help of a friend attending the same Military Academy at the time. Who knew that a random who needed a date to a military formal event would turn into her best friend and future fiancé.
After six weeks of waiting (so no complaining when he doesn’t text you back in 10 minutes) she received a phone call from Chris. Phone calls turned into skype dates, which turned into an exciting visit two months before the formal event.
“Since then, we have made what I can only describe as an incredible relationship work long-distance. We truly could not have made it work without our Faith in Christ and our odd yet compatible senses of humor,” Stephanie said.
Now take a moment to scan your Pinterest board and find your dream-wedding proposal. Well Chris did it ten times better.
“Chris proposed on a cliff overlooking the ocean just before sunset in San Diego, where he is from. The only thought to cross my mind as he knelt down was that I had never been so sure about anything in my whole life,” Stephanie said.
Unfortunately Stephanie and Chris won’t be able to spend this Valentines Day together, but you can bet that next year they will be spending it together as husband and wife. Whether you’re spending Valentine’s Day with your boyfriend at Olive Garden, with your friends drinking wine and watching movies or rocking out to Florida Georgia Line, remember to appreciate whom you’re with.
More about Stephanie!
Year in school: 1st year graduate student
Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Major/minor: Undergraduate: BA Psychology, Graduate: Master of Occupational Therapy
Interests/hobbies: Singing, exercising, traveling, working with children with special needs
Dream job/why: My dream career is to be an Occupational Therapist and work with premature and high-risk infants. My personal dream is to have a family someday.
Role model(s): I look up to my father, a hardworking and honest person who always told me I could achieve anything I set my mind to.
Favorite quote/motto to live by: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Your favorite thing about Valentines Day: Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to remind ourselves to concentrate on others and let the important people in our lives know they aren’t taken for granted.
Cheesiest Valentines day gift received/given: Chris sent me a heart-shaped box of candy last year, but I was actually ecstatic because chocolate is my favorite thing.