Benji Hein

Katie and Benji Hein could be excused for believing in fate.
...
Benji grew up in Onalaska, graduating from Onalaska High School in 1995.A standout catcher for both the OHS and Onalaska Legion teams, he started his college studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

During his freshman year, he made an impression on Katie, a fellow St. Olaf student, but she admired him from afar.And before she got a chance to make a connection, Benji decided to transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As fate would have it, after a year at UW-Madison, Benji decided to go back to St. Olaf to finish his college studies.His first day back, Katie spied him in the campus bookstore.

"I'm like, 'He's back, he's back," Katie said.Her friends, she added, thought her reaction to Benji's return was a little over the top.
...
An ocean was not enough to keep them apart, and at the halfway point of the semester, Benji flew to Paris to spend a week with Katie.In his pocket: an engagement ring.

Katie and Benji Hein are pictured before they shared a last name, halfway to the top of the Eiffel Tower, where Benji had planned to propose.
...
On the way to the top, Benji insisted on buying her a stuffed Eiffel Tower toy at a gift shop halfway up.Katie couldn't figure out why, but Benji wanted a souvenir.
...
Benji doesn't remember exactly what he said.

"I just told her how I felt and asked her to marry me," he said.

"I knew someday that we would be engaged, but I didn't know it would be then," Katie said."It was just a special spot and such an exciting time."

Benji and Katie were married Aug. 28, 1999, and now live in the Twin Cities, where they both work in merchandising at the Target headquarters.All because Benji decided to go back to St. Olaf.

Katie and Benji Hein could be excused for believing in fate.
...
Benji grew up in Onalaska, graduating from Onalaska High School in 1995.A standout catcher for both the OHS and Onalaska Legion teams, he started his college studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

During his freshman year, he made an impression on Katie, a fellow St. Olaf student, but she admired him from afar.And before she got a chance to make a connection, Benji decided to transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As fate would have it, after a year at UW-Madison, Benji decided to go back to St. Olaf to finish his college studies.His first day back, Katie spied him in the campus bookstore.

"I'm like, 'He's back, he's back," Katie said.Her friends, she added, thought her reaction to Benji's return was a little over the top.
...
An ocean was not enough to keep them apart, and at the halfway point of the semester, Benji flew to Paris to spend a week with Katie.In his pocket: an engagement ring.
...
On the way to the top, Benji insisted on buying her a stuffed Eiffel Tower toy at a gift shop halfway up.Katie couldn't figure out why, but Benji wanted a souvenir.
...
Benji doesn't remember exactly what he said.

"I just told her how I felt and asked her to marry me," he said.

"I knew someday that we would be engaged, but I didn't know it would be then," Katie said."It was just a special spot and such an exciting time."

Benji and Katie were married Aug. 28, 1999, and now live in the Twin Cities, where they both work in merchandising at the Target headquarters.All because Benji decided to go back to St. Olaf.