Dawn Krockta – 2nd year, Public Health major
Ryan Kresge – 2nd year, Engineering major
Their Story:
It all started back in the 4th grade at Lewis Elementary, when Dawn and Ryan first met. It wasn’t until senior year of high school that they realized they had a thing for each other. “I was supportive of him when he was in need and he was supportive of me when I was in need,” said Dawn when explaining what changed in their friendship to bring them to the next level.
Dawn admits that at Ryan’s first attempt to ask her out she was clueless. When he asked to her to go to Steak and Shake she assumed it was just as friends and she even paid. It took him three tries to get it right, plus the help of a close friend to make it obvious. By that point, Dawn was thrilled to go on an official date to Cracker Barrel. Even then she wasn’t aware that this was an exclusive thing. When Ryan told Dawn he made them “facebook official” she realized this relationship was the real deal.
Being high school sweethearts, their relationship has gone through a lot of transitions, but they always seem to make it work. Ryan admits that in high school he never expected them to go to USF together. Upon starting college Ryan thought he wanted to live the “college life” as a single man and try being with different women. The couple took a break, but during which Ryan realized, “I was lonely without her. When we were apart and I was with another girl I always thought, ‘She’s not Dawn.’”
Even though they’ve been through, what they call, “hiccups” they have learned that talking about anything and everything with each other – no matter how sensitive – is what makes their relationship work. They have now been going strong for a solid 5 months and just celebrated their 2-year anniversary, both happy as ever. “I love him because he’s my best friend,” Dawn said to which Ryan jokingly replied, “I love her because she makes me sandwiches!”
Valentine’s Day Plans:
Ryan has been in sailing for most if his life and one thing that Dawn has been asking him to do is take her out on his sail boat for a romantic date. This year for Valentine’s Day, Ryan plans to surprise Dawn by telling her to pack a lunch for a picnic, but instead take her out on his boat. They will sail into the sunset and enjoy each other’s company in the quietness of the sea.