During their first year at TXST, Kristian and Emily shared two classes. They spoke very little until after their first German exam when they discussed their grades and their mutual difficulty keeping Spanish and German separate in their heads. That conversation led to more, and eventually, they started dating. Three years and two study abroad programs later, Kristian asked Emily to marry him in the same spot they had the conversation about that exam – on the steps of Centennial Hall. They were married in November 2021.