Kate & Derek in East Lansing, MI

Michigan natives Kate and Derek met through a mutual friend (Derek's roommate and Kate's classmate). For their first date, Derek took Kate to dinner at Emil's Restaurant in Lansing. They spent hours talking and laughing and found that they had more in common than just their friend. The Bride Kate Huehl, 26, clinical researcher The Groom Derek Huffman, 27, auditor The Date October 27 Four years later, Kate was bugging Derek for a kitten, but she hadn't quite been able to convince him to get one. One day Derek surprised her with a dozen roses and a stuffed toy kitten. Though it wasn't the real pet she had hoped for, Kate wasn't disappointed: The kitten also had a ring tied around its neck. Derek then read her a poem he'd written for the occasion and proposed. With a year and a half to plan their fall wedding, the couple took their time deciding on each detail. In honor of their alma mater, they decided to exchange vows at the Michigan State University Alumni Chapel, on the campus where they first met.