‘I do’
3/4/2026Couples often celebrate the milestones of their relationships: the day they met, their wedding, anniversaries … And the date of their engagement is often a highlight: an event often given much thought and planning. An occasion of romance, joy and anticipation of the journey ahead.
Krystan and Caleb Kloberdanz
High school sweethearts
Young love can begin in almost any context. For Kyrstan and Caleb Kloberdanz, the story began at Indianola High School in a German class.
“We went to elementary school at Emerson,” Kyrstan says. “We knew each other and were in the same friend groups, but, as we became teenagers, he dated other girls. We didn’t start dating until our sophomore year.”
Once Caleb found the spot he wanted, Kyrstan’s mom asked them to pose for a picture. Kyrstan was unaware that her mom was in on the proposal plan and was trying to mask what was coming by constantly taking photos of them. Once the photo was finished, he stayed where he was.
“I wondered why we weren’t moving, thinking it was odd,” Kyrstan shares. “That’s when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was surprising because he is nervous about doing anything in public, and he proposed in a public space with my family watching and a lot of other people. Everyone was clapping and saying congratulations.
The couple got married in August 2024 and are expecting their first child in May.
Source: Indianola Living, February 2026; by Rachel Harrington
Josh and Gabrille Johnson
Love at the campanile
Josh Johnson and his wife, Gabrielle, met over Instagram and were states apart for a while — him in Texas and her in Iowa. But, they eventually ended up together in the Hawkeye state.
“My wife and her family are big Iowa State fans, and they all went to Iowa State,” Josh says. “So, at Iowa State, there is this tradition called campaniling. If you kiss at midnight under the campanile, then you will be together forever. So, in my mind, I thought it was the perfect time and place to propose.”
The couple walked to the tower close to midnight, talking along the way, while Josh was thinking, “Hurry up midnight, so I can propose.” While they were waiting for midnight, they noticed a group of girls near the tower, but they didn’t think anything of it.
At 11:59 p.m., Josh got down on one knee and asked Gabrielle if she would marry him. However, there is another tradition at Iowa State called “The Curtiss to Beardshear Streak” where students run naked between Curtiss Hall and Beardshear Hall, often aiming to complete it while the Campanile strikes midnight.
“So, that group of girls we saw earlier? That’s exactly what they did,” Josh says. “Needless to say, the proposal was heartfelt, but it’s also a hilarious memory now.”
Source: Grimes Living, February 2026; by Ashley Rullestad
Ethan and Megan Marti
Engagement at one of the world’s wonders
One day, two women visited one of the Wonders of the World: The Great Wall of China. They traveled to a secluded area of the landmark, where there was a big surprise — Ethan, who dropped down on one knee.
Marti remembers feeling overwhelmingly shocked at the proposal. Because of it, she doesn’t know exactly what he said during his speech — but she knows it was special.
“Reminiscing about the proposal Ethan now says, ‘Time stopped, the world stood still, and the stars aligned.’ The kids and I now laugh. He is a very thoughtful and devoted husband, yet sometimes a cheesy dad.”
The couple will always have the memory, since a friend of Marti’s filmed the proposal from around the corner, while the other bought drinks afterward from a lone vendor with a drink cart in the remote part of The Great Wall.
“It was meant to be,” she says.
Afterward, they celebrated with a Beijing duck dinner in a hidden restaurant.
“It was such a surreal and exciting experience,” Marti says. “It was the best dinner of our two-week trip.”
The couple has now been married for more than five years and has welcomed three children — Mia, Easton and Ella — along with two sister kitty cats, Peanut and Jelly.
Source: North Polk Living, February 2026; by Lindsey Giardino
Zach Jakalski and Madi Gremler
Speechless
When it comes to impressing a hopeful fiancée, Zach Jakalski’s proposal is hard to beat.
“Yeah, I set the bar very high for all my friends,” Zach says proudly. “They’re not too happy about it.”
Zach proposed to Madi Gremler at the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. It was night, so the crowd had died down, and the temperature had cooled. There was even a quartet playing music outside at a nearby cafe.
The only thing that did not go as planned was Zach’s proposal speech.
Zach had worked to craft the perfect proposal, one that declared his everlasting love and devotion. It was sure to be a memorable moment. Madi’s father tried to advise Zach to keep it simple.
“He said not to come up with a whole elaborate speech ‘because you are not going to remember it in the moment.’ ”
“I was just so nervous. All I could get out was ‘Will you marry me?’ and I think I even messed that up a little.”
“I always have something to say,” Madi said with a laugh, “I’m rarely speechless. But, I was so shocked I forgot what to say.”
The wedding will be in October, but the honeymoon will have to wait until Christmas. Madi teaches K-8, and Zach is busy starting up a Des Moines-based coffee roasting business called Black Silo Coffee Roasting.
The destination, of course, is Italy. ♦
Source: Urbandale Living, February 2026; by Joe Baumgarten
