From high school sweethearts to Kent State University College of Nursing graduates, the journey for Maria Poppenhouse, BSN ’24 and Paul Thrams, BSN ’24 has been nothing short of inspiring. They both recently completed their nursing program together, a testament to their unwavering support for each other. Now as they prepare to exchange vows in June 2025, their shared dreams and dedication to healthcare underscore a remarkable story of love and perseverance.
Although they attended different high schools, fate brought Poppenhouse and Thrams together when they each started working at Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Boston Heights, Ohio. Despite her initial interest in someone else, Thrams continued to try to get to know Poppenhouse. Encouraged by colleagues who vouched for his character and kindness, Poppenhouse eventually agreed to go out with Thrams. That first date marked the beginning of a deep and lasting relationship.
“We only saw each other at work or on the weekends because we went to different high schools and we both were in sports,” said Poppenhouse. “We really treasured that time together.”
Independently, they each felt called to pursue a career in nursing and supported each other through the rigorous application process. When they received their acceptance letters, the excitement of knowing they would embark on this journey side by side was palpable.
“Back when COVID-19 was running rampant, we were trying to get into then nursing program and it was hard. “I was so happy that we were going to do this together because I didn’t think I could do it alone. It was exciting to know we were going into the same program at the same school. We were going to have so much time to see each other.”
For the first year and a half, Poppenhouse and Thrams attended classes virtually due to the pandemic. While they hadn’t had the opportunity to meet their fellow classmates yet, they had each other as study partners.
With Thrams’ standing as an honor nursing student and Poppenhouse’s athletic standing for assisting with the university football team, the couple was amongst the first to register for clinicals, allowing them to schedule the same course.
“We were blessed. We had a majority of the same clinicals which made it easy to see each other every day,” said Thrams. “Our communication grew stronger because we had had to talk through schoolwork.”
Their shared experiences in their nursing clinicals deepened their bond as they celebrated successes and navigated challenges. It was in these moments of teamwork and mutual growth that their commitment to one another became even more evident, setting the stage for their next chapter in life. On February 26, 2024, Thrams proposed to Poppenhouse.
Trying his hardest to keep the proposal a surprise, Thrams created an elaborate story about going out to dinner at a fancy steakhouse to celebrate his friend’s girlfriend’s birthday. Poppenhouse admits she was suspicious and that she knew he was going to ask her to marry him. However, she began to question her intuition when she was added to a group chat about the supposed birthday dinner.
“I was certain he was going to do it on a Monday, but I also thought maybe he’d change the date. Monday came around and I began to think maybe we were going to this birthday dinner because there was group chat with a bunch of people and random numbers I didn't know. People were texting about what time to arrive at the restaurant and asking what everyone was going to wear,” said Poppenhouse. “Paul asked to pick me up early, which I thought was a little odd, but we hadn’t had a date night that week, so I was grateful for the extra time for just us.”
Two months prior to the engagement, Thrams had begun tracking the weather, waiting for the perfect conditions to get down on one knee.
“That day it was predicted to be 62 degrees and sunny. There was no other day in the next two to three months that looked that good. I had found this spot in a park with a gazebo. It was also near my grandma's house which was important to me, because I wanted to tell her the news first,” said Thrams. “I've known since I was 18 years old that I wanted to include a special a letter as part of my proposal. Throughout our relationship, I wrote Maria letters five to six times a year and I knew she saved them all. I wrote my letter, snuck my previous letters out of her parents’ house and purchased her favorite bottle of champagne, which was a memory of a date night we went on. I event sealed my letter with a wax press stamp with a T on it because she's going to become a Thrams.”
Thrams initially drove Poppenhouse to the church where they had their first date. She recalled being quiet and anxious in that moment.
“I had asked him before not to propose there, but he stopped at the church hoping to throw me off. Eventually, we ended up at Sagamore Hills Park. Our friends were there, and they had it all set up. Paul said ‘You've been waiting a long time for this’, and I instantly started crying. I didn't think I would because it had been five and a half years. I knew it was coming. Everybody knew was coming,” said Poppenhouse. “I couldn’t believe he proposed before graduation. He was just so thoughtful when it came to the details, even my ring has a hidden halo on it. He had this perfect vision, and his proposal letter was awesome.”
When asked how Thrams knew Poppenhouse was who he wanted to share his life with, he acknowledged it was her relationship with the other important people in his life that sealed the deal for him.
“My friends would do everything under the sun to be obnoxious. She not only put up with them, but she also likes them. My best friends are now her best friends,” said Thrams. “That's when I really knew I wanted to be with Maria. A good rule of thumb, if the person you love can love the people you surround yourself with, it's probably a good thing.”
As their relationship continues to blossom, it is clear to everyone around them why they are a perfect match. When asked about what they love the most about each other, their answers highlighted the qualities that have strengthened their bond over the years. Poppenhouse shared, “Paul is very smart, assertive and outgoing. It makes awkward situations where you don't know people better because he just gets the conversation rolling.” Thrams added, “Maria is super loyal, very patient and intelligent. We can have deep conversations specifically about nursing. I love having a partner who I can share my professional life with, too.”
Embarking on the wedding planning process has filled them with excitement. Surprisingly, the Kent State University Hotel will be the closest hotel to the venue they’ve chosen, making it a central part of their celebration.
“We didn't meet in college but since we both went to Kent State, it'll be cool to tie that in,” said Poppenhouse. Thrams explained, “It will be nice for our college friends to come back and be able to go out in Downtown Kent one more time next summer.”
As new nurses and soon-to-be newlyweds, Poppenhouse and Thrams are mindful of the challenges that come with balancing demanding work schedules and maintaining a strong, healthy relationship. Having already balanced high school where they were putting in nearly 65 hours of activities weekly on separate schedules, they feel like they already have an advantage.
“One of the benefits of nursing is it's only three days a week, and even if we get all three working days opposite of each other, we will still get one day together. There is also a chance some of our shifts could overlap, allowing for more time together,” said Thrams.
Upon passing the NCLEX, Poppenhouse will be starting her career at University Hospitals main campus on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Thrams will be just down the hall in the Cardiothoracic ICU. Thrams hopes to continue his education to become a certified registered nurse anesthesiologist (CRNA), while Poppenhouse is thinking along the lines of either pharmaceutical sales or returning to school to become an adult gerontology nurse practitioner.