Unbeknownst to either Zane or Asia, Irene (the MoH) and her boyfriend (now fiancé) Brandon had hatched a plan. See, Irene had decided that Zane and Asia would make a perfect couple even if they had barely met. However, there was a pandemic at the time so options for a meet up were limited. Luckily Zane and Asia both love to cook so it made sense to invite Zane to one of the apartment 1909A college “Family Dinners”. He could dress up nice and wow her with his cooking skills, a perfect plan.

Irene had gotten Asia and Zane to agree to dinner and spent the time leading up to the dinner hyping Zane up to Asia as best she could. Talking about his amazing cooking skills and sense of style. Unfortunately Zane was not warned of this so he showed up in sweatpants ready to make some rather basic tacos with Brandon.This did not negatively impact the dinner however and Zane quickly became a regular to 1909A (the apartment Irene and Asia shared). It was at this point Asia and Irene both agreed this was a good match (Zane would not catch on for several months). In the meantime Asia and Irene would arrange game nights where Asia and Zane would be a team, or invite him over just because. 

The All Nighter

After winter break Irene decided to take things into her own hands once more and Winter Carnival was the perfect opportunity. Asia would be up all night in the cold building a snow statue of the Lorax, a perfect opportunity for Zane to come to her aid with a coffee! And it was Wednesday so Biggby had BOGO coffees. She convinced Zane to come with her to get coffee for Brandon and Asia. This was a stroke of genius. Asia greatly appreciated the coffee and during her warming breaks she’d visit Zane at 1909. Even after everyone went to bed they stayed up the whole night to wait out a snow storm and brush the statue off just before judging at 8am (The Lorax won 1st!).After All Nighter Asia and Irene had many discussions about what to do about the somewhat oblivious Zane. He had to be interested a least a little to stay up all night right? This is when Asia made her plan.

Asia asked Zane if he’d like to go skiing, on Sunday, Febuary 14th…The plan was a Valentine's Day ski trip turned date. She’d ask him out on the ski lift. Unfortunately the wind chill was -40 as it sometimes is in Houghton and neither of them felt like trying to ski in that. But Asia wasn't going to give up on her plan so easily. They had started watching Wandavison together and there were a few episodes left, a perfect excuse to invite him up. So she invited him up, he accepted, and she waited. And she waited… for a few hours. She sent him one last chance text “Are you coming”? And he replied “Oh! you meant now?! I was waiting for you to tell me when!” (He was playing rocket league with Davy). He rushed up to 1909 and they spent the evening watching a lot of movies. After he left Irene wandered out, “Sooo are you finally dating?” Asia responded, “I don’t know I didn’t ask.”

It wouldn’t be until 3 days later walking to get BOGO Wednesday Biggby that Asia would ask “So are we dating”?” To that Zane responded “Well that depends, will you be my girlfriend?” And she said Yes. They decided to keep their anniversary Febuary 14th.

Zane started spending most of his time at 1909 from online classes to dinner. As it was still Covid times dates were few and far between, but one day Asia and Zane were able to take a trip North to Eagle River Falls. They ordered takeout from the Fitz and wandered the Lake Superior shoreline and Eagle River Falls. A core memory for them both. 

Zane and Asia continued through college up at Michigan Tech. Spending time playing broomball, 3D printing "The Droplet", and living Yooper life. In November 2022 they adopted their first cat Koko, and made a family of 3. 

In Spring of 2023 Zane graduated with his bachelor's and Asia with her master's. They then moved to Illinois and started their careers, and a few months later bought their first house and added the fourth family member, Nutmeg.

Now what you've all been waiting for: The Proposal! Back at Eagle River Falls Zane proposed to Asia (5 seconds before she proposed to him!), but it's ok she had an Uno reverse card! A double Yooper proposal.