It all began in the winter of 2021,when Sannoong first arrived in the U.S. and waited at a bus stop in the freezing cold for almost 40 minutes — all because of Claudia, who (as usual) was a bit too busy and a little careless. ❄️ That chilly wait turned into the start of something wonderfully warm.

We both joined the same PhD program, spending our days buried in research, classes, and way too much coffee. Over time, we became close friends — studying together, hanging out with friends, and sharing countless late-night laughs.

Our friendship grew deeper while preparing for the qualifying exam in our second year. Between study sessions and stress snacks, Sannoong asked Claudia to be his girlfriend, though she made him wait for an answer until after the exam!

Our first date was at the Indianapolis Zoo, followed by a walk along the canal, where we later celebrated passing our qualifying exams. From that moment, everything felt right — and our journey together truly began.
Since then, we’ve shared adventures across Indonesia, Australia, Europe, and the U.S., from quiet walks to hiking and camping under the stars. Through every high and low, we’ve been each other’s constant.
A funny twist? Claudia liked him first, but he liked someone else… until fate stepped in. In the end, he realized who his heart belonged to. 💙

The proposal happened in Kiel, Germany, during a peaceful walk by the water. Out of nowhere, Sannoong stopped, took out a sapphire ring, and asked Claudia to marry him. She said yes and now, they’re ready to begin their greatest adventure yet.