Augie Sweethearts: Katherine and Erik Johnson, Class of 2014

Submitted by Katherine Johnson of Oak Park, Ill.

Katie and Erik had just started their Freshman year of college at Augustana when both were having computer problems. Erik was sitting in the IT office, when Katie and her roommate walked in. After a quick introduction  Erik's laptop was finally able to connect to the internet and he shouted "Yes FACEBOOK" before leaving the room, and Katie laughed to herself. 

Several weeks passed without them seeing each other. Then one fateful night, Erik was coming up from the basement of a house party and Katie was going down. Katie recognized Erik and said "hello". Erik had no clue who she was, but he thought she looked beautiful. Being easy going they started chatting and made mutual friends.

Over the next year and a half, Erik and Katie became closer and eventually, over a romantic Olive Garden meal they began to date. 
 
The Proposal:

Before going out to Colorado for Thanksgiving, Erik had told Katie that he wanted to go to a mountain top that overlooks Denver (where Katie is originally from). His rationale was that they needed a picture to go above their couch at home and the view is beautiful. So, they went to the top of Lookout Mountain and found a rock ledge for 'the picture'. According to him, she was being difficult since no spot seemed quite right for said picture. Well don't you know, Erik propped his phone up on a rock to take a picture of them and popped the question right there.

Katie and Erik were married on May 27, 2018 and now reside in Oak Park.