The skies were friendly, all right, when Cristina Gutierrez and Mark Koch sat next to each other on a flight to O'Hare Airport in Chicago. They had a blast the whole way -- even stopping for a drink at the airport bar -- and began dating soon after.
THE BRIDE
Cristina Gutierrez, a veterinarian
THE GROOM
Mark Koch, a senior software architect
THE DATE
August 3
When Cristina began veterinary studies at Colorado State, Mark bought her a stethoscope. When it came time for him to pop the question, he had the front side engraved with the words GoofyChick DVM, his nickname for her (DVM stands for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine). On the back were the words, "Will you marry me?" "What are you doing?" she asked, when she first looked at it. "I'm asking you to marry me, goofy chick!" he replied. They planned the wedding in six months.
-- Joanna Saltz