Kristen & Matt in Golden, CO

Kristen and Matthew met as college coeds. They both attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where a mutual friend invited them to a New Year’s Eve party (it also happened to be Matt’s birthday). The connection was instant, and at midnight when Matt asked for a kiss, Kristen recalls thinking, “of course… he was so cute that I couldn’t turn him down.” The Bride Kristen Wilde, 24, hotel real estate investment analyst The Groom Matt Kozlowski, 26, U.S. Army Diver, 1st Lieutenant The Date August 13 After graduation, Matt’s job made a long-distance relationship inevitable. One weekend while Kristen was visiting him, Matt surprised her with a romantic dinner and a lakeside walk. As they approached a quiet park Matt got down on one knee and proposed to Kristen, who, through happy tears, said yes. “He made me run to the nearest light post to show off my gorgeous engagement ring,” says Kristen.