On the last night of Webster student Izzy Sherfy’s study abroad trip, she posed for a picture in front of a fountain in Barcelona, Spain, with her boyfriend of almost five years. She was expecting a flash from the camera, but was surprised when she turned to see her boyfriend on one knee.
As Sherfy responded “yes” to Steven Niederschulte’s proposal, she said there were nearly 150 people watching as they waited for a fountain show to start.
“People were saying congratulations in all different languages,” Sherfy said.
After studying abroad for a term in Leiden, Netherlands, Sherfy traveled on a spring break trip to Barcelona, Spain. Niederschulte, Sherfy’s sister Katy Sherfy and Katy Sherfy’s boyfriend, Kevin Karney, joined her in Spain. Niederschulte knew he would propose in Europe.
“As soon as I found out she was going to Europe, I thought it would be the perfect time to propose to her,” Niederschulte said. “I really wanted to get a picture of when I was going to get down on my knee.”
It was his first time in Europe. Niederschulte didn’t know when or where he would propose, He said he waited for the perfect opportunity to arise.
“I did not have a clue,” Izzy Sherfy said. “Especially because it was our last night (together in Spain).”
Niederschulte said he was nervous for the proposal, but the biggest step for him was just getting to Leiden. Though he has flown before, Niederschulte said flying is one of his biggest fears.
He said knowing the importance of the proposal helped him face his fear of flying.
“I met her at the airport and it was a pretty good feeling,” Niederschulte said.
Izzy Sherfy is a senior biology major and soccer player at Webster. Niederschulte, 24, said he met Izzy Sherfy through his sister, former Webster student Megan Niederschulte.
Both Izzy Sherfy and Megan Niederschulte played soccer together in high school and at Webster.
After Steven Niederschulte’s proposal on March 16, 2012, they returned home to St. Louis. Katy Sherfy and Kevin Karney traveled to Paris, France where Karney proposed to Katy Sherfy in front of a glowing Eiffel Tower on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.
Mary Sherfy, mother of Izzy and Katy Sherfy, said she was thrilled to hear about the engagements of her daughters. Izzy and Katy Sherfy are her only two children and were engaged just four days apart.
“I never thought Webster’s study abroad program would produce two engagements,” Mary Sherfy said.
Mary Sherfy said both men came to her and her husband to ask for their daughters’ hands in marriage, but they didn’t know when the men would propose.
“I don’t think either of us expected it to happen this way,” Mary Sherfy said. “It is magical, and even more magical I don’t have to plan two weddings at once.”
Izzy Sherfy said her and Steven Niederschulte are in no rush to be married. She said they want to enjoy their time together and travel.
Katy Sherfy and Kevin Karney are planning to wed summer 2013.
On March 29, 2012, Izzy Sherfy and Steven Niederschulte will celebrate their five-year anniversary.
Izzy Sherfy said she never thought she would study abroad while at Webster but she is definitely glad she did.
“It was the best way to end the best two months of my life,” Izzy Sherfy said.
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