Couple says honesty and humor are most important
In honor of Valentine’s Day, The Utah Statesman profiled a recently engaged couple on campus instead of an individual student.
Utah Statesman: How did you meet?
Whitney Ecker: We are both music majors, so we met through the music department in a class called Theory 1, back in 2007.
US: How long have you been together?
Nathan Mensink: Since the end of August, or about six months.
US: Nathan, what is the first thing you noticed about Whitney?
NM: Her eyes.
US: Whitney, what is the first thing you noticed about Nathan?
WE: He was way tan!
US: What did you do for your first date?
NM: We went to a jazz concert in Salt Lake City.
US: What is your favorite activity to do together?
WE: We like making sweet music together and watching movies, going wakeboarding and practicing together.
US: What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
NM: We will go to dinner and I will give Whitney the gift I have been holding for three months.
WE: We will both be playing a jazz concert at the sky club, but I also have a gift for Nate.
US: Nathan, describe Whitney in three words:
NM: Pretty, intelligent, and caring.
US: Whitney, describe Nathan in three words:
WE: Kindhearted, genuine, honest and talented. Oops, that’s four.
US: Have you celebrated any anniversaries? If so, how?
WE: We don’t really keep track because there was no exact date. Plus, we haven’t officially been together a year yet and that’s what people really count. Occasionally we will dress up and go to nice dinners.
US: What has been your most memorable date or moment together?
WE: When we went to Le Nonne. That night we also saw “Inception,” but the coolest part was dinner because I felt like time just slowed down. I didn’t want the night to end.
NM: Whitney cutting my hair. She “accidentally” cut a two-inch gouge from the back of my hair.
US: When did you get engaged?
WE: Jan. 5, 2011.
US: How did Nathan propose?
WE: He surprised me and flew out to Sacramento. He talked to my dad and then took me to the Sacramento LDS temple. He then told me how much he loved me and asked me to marry him. He even picked the ring out by himself.
US: When will the wedding take place?
WE: May 10, 2011.
US: Have you made any plans so far?
WE: It will take place in the Logan LDS temple and our reception will be at the Riter mansion. We have also decided to go to Bermuda on our honeymoon.
US: What makes you unique as a couple?
WE: Probably that we aren’t super lovey-dovey, but we are really comfortable with each other because we have been such good friends for so long.
NM: Because I’m Dutch.
US: What do you think are the most important aspects in a relationship?
WE: Honesty.
NM: Humor.
US: What is your position on PDAs? (Public Displays of Affection)
WE: We don’t like it, we will hold hands but that’s it. The rest should be private.
NM: We haven’t even kissed yet.
US: What song would best describe you together?
WE: “The Second Time Around.” Because we briefly dated at the beginning of our friendship.
US: If you could be any celebrity couple, who would you be?
NM: Brad Pitt! Brad Pitt! Brad Pitt!
WE: I guess Brad and Angelina.
US: When did you know you had found “The One”?
WE: The Le Nonne date, there was even live jazz music playing.
NM: I have always kind of known … actually, we made a contract our freshman year stating that if we weren’t married by a certain age, we would marry each other. We are two years early, but I am holding up my end of the contract.
US: What challenges have you faced so far?
WE: Being away from Nate for the three weeks over Christmas break was hard.
NM: I would say, just trying to figure out how she felt.
US: Nathan, be honest, how many chick flicks have you watched?
NM: Oh, I love chick flicks. We just watched “John Tucker Must Die.” I also like 300 and Gladiator.
US: What is your “must have” for your wedding?
NM: A chocolate fountain.
WE: Tulips. Because Nate is Dutch, that will be the theme of our wedding.
US: What would be your No. 1 piece of advice for couples out there?
WE: Know each other inside and out. Don’t rush. We have had years to get to know each other and it has made all the difference.
NM: Compromise. Do things you both like, but occasionally we do something she likes and then the next time will do something I like.
US: What is the best gift you have received from each other?
WE: He made me a handmade scrapbook of all the pictures of us.
NM: The kilt.
WE: Nathan can’t say “quilt.”
US: Are you True Aggies?
WE: Yes.
NM: Yes.
US: Did you make each other True Aggies?
WE: No.
NM: No.
– jessie.a.sweat@aggiemail.usu.edu