Across Cities, Toward Each Other: The Kriteses
One short trip brought them onto the same screen at the same moment. Seven months of long-distance dating, five-hour FaceTime dates, and a connection that felt effortless from the very beginning.
A Match, Unedited
Brad didn’t intend to meet the person he would marry on that trip. He was in Minneapolis for his brother’s birthday, just a short visit. Extended only because his brother suggested he stay a little longer…with one small caveat. He would join his brother and his sister-in-law to a Timberwolves game!
In hopes of finding a date to bring, Brad reactivated his Bumble profile, untouched from the last time he’d used it.
That’s when Bekka found him. On Bumble, the female has to message first, and she messaged without hesitation. One word. “BRAD!” It was playful and direct, and it worked. They began talking, but never met while he was still in Minneapolis. Instead, they carried the conversation forward, letting it stretch beyond geography.
Dinner, Delivered From Cincinnati
Their first date took place after Brad returned home to Cincinnati, over FaceTime. He hopped on the phone with a fresh haircut, sent food and wine to Bekka’s apartment, as if distance were only a minor inconvenience. That one call lasted five hours; neither of them wanted it to end.
Three weeks later, Brad returned to Minneapolis. Bekka met him for the first time at baggage claim, and in the midst of the crowd, everything else seemed to fall away. He chose a hug over a kiss, an unassuming gesture that spoke volumes. They drove through her neighborhood together, before sitting down for dinner at Tullibee in the North Loop. An evening that felt less like a beginning and more like something already known.
For seven months, distance shaped their relationship in meaningful ways. They showed each other their hometowns, introduced one another to friends and family, and allowed their lives to overlap. Having known what caution required, they were surprised by how effortless it felt. What they found was something rare: a love quieter, deeper, and more certain than anything that had come before.
Brad’s care revealed itself in the ways that matter most. He was generous not only with his time, but with his attention. Always making sure Bekka stayed closely connected to her family and friends, even from afar. Calls were scheduled, FaceTimes never rushed, visits thoughtfully planned. He listened carefully, spoke with intention. When Bekka asked for his advice, she trusted it completely. He met her with steadiness, clarity, and intelligence that made her feel supported and understood.
“Turn Around.”
Two years into their relationship, Brad knew the moment was coming. A work trip to Denver coincided with their anniversary (perfect timing!), and together they planned a quiet escape to Bekka’s cousin’s mountain house just west of the city. They would work remotely, cook together, and spend the weekend settled into the ease of just being together.
Bekka picked Brad up from the airport, and they drove into the mountains under the cover of darkness. Wednesday passed gently, laptops closed at the end of the day as planned.
Walking the pond was a ritual whenever they stayed at the house. Snow had fallen, and although the path had been cleared, it was only wide enough for one person at a time. Bekka stepped ahead, Brad close behind, the two of them laughing as they made their way along the narrow trail.
They walked down, reflecting on the years they had spent building their life together. Brad asked if she remembered when he first asked her to be his girlfriend. She laughed, "Of course!”,
He followed with another question.
“If I were to ask you that today, what would your answer be?”
Walking ahead of him, Bekka replied,
“Let’s just enjoy the weekend.”
A moment passed before Brad said softly,
“Hey, sweetie—turn around.”
He was on one knee, the ring box open in his hands. He spoke quietly, carefully, words meant only for her. Then he asked her to marry him.
Hand in hand, they walked back to the house and opened the anniversary cards they had brought for one another—cards meant for a different occasion. Later, over dinner at an Italian restaurant, they kept the news to themselves. An evening suspended in the intimacy of knowing before telling.
The next day, they shared the news with family and friends. On Friday, they returned to Denver. Brad was uncharacteristically secretive with his phone. When they arrived at the house, the room was filled with excitement. Hugs passed from one person to the next, until the line ended in the living room, where her parents were waiting. Brad had flown them in, quietly ensuring the people who mattered most could share in the moment.
They were married that October in Minneapolis, the city that first brought them together. A European honeymoon follows this Spring. Beyond that, a life built slowly, thoughtfully, and together.
Congratulations to the Kriteses!
