From time to time, we feature proposal stories in the words of our very own #KirkKaraBrides. We love being part of the magic that defines their happily-ever-after! Kelli Corns looks back at how all roads led her to the love of her life, and how their shared love of dogs became the foundation of their own.

“Our love story started with a grocery store, really. I was in college, bagging groceries, and made friends with a coworker named Megan. Soon after, I met her family (and I completely loved them from the start!). Megan always talked about her older brother who lived with roommates, but Tyler was the last member of the Uecker family that I met.

After celebrating Megan’s 21st birthday, I officially met the mysterious brother, and I’d be lying if I said he didn’t manage to sneak in a kiss at the end of the night. I met someone else that night: Tyler’s 130 lb. Rottweiler, Tank! Everyone who knows our story knows that, well, I knew I loved Tank before I even gave Tyler a chance.

Years passed, and our kiss became a distant memory. I moved home from my college town and got a giant pup of my own, Sam. Eventually, I returned to work on my post grad, but everyone I had known during college had moved away. Everyone except that local boy I had once kissed (and his dog, who was love at first sight).

I don’t think either of us could have predicted how fast we’d fall for one another, and how our two dogs and the love we had for them became the glue to our relationship.

Nearly four years later, I found myself (and Sam) making the tough decision to move to the Pacific Northwest for a job opportunity. Two months in, Tyler and Tank came to visit, and unbeknownst to me, Tyler bought a ring. Four months in, Tyler and Tank moved 600 miles from the only home they had ever known for the girl they fell for, and the dog that they, too, loved at first sight. It was a giant leap of faith.

Six months later, we found ourselves on a hike in an area we’d never been, lost in the woods, covered in mud, and frustrated beyond belief.  Tyler stopped for a moment to regroup, and handed me a piece of paper — adoption papers for Sam to take his last name. Overwhelmed with love, and some confusion, I almost didn’t notice him on one knee, holding the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. Tank and Sam by my side, I said, “Yes!” I spent the next hour staring at the sparkly new accessory on my left hand, while Tyler managed to find our way back. Somehow, no matter what, we always seem to find our way back to where we belong.

Diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend. As for me, the man behind the diamond, and the two pups by his side — they’re my future, my family, my forever, and my ultimate soul mates.”

This stunning ring is part of our Angelique collection.