We met at Kaitie's best friend's boyfriend’s birthday party. Kaitie in her typical "I don't know you, so I don't really want to talk to you" fashion decided to keep me at an arm’s length for most of the night. I remember how much she laughed but still looked so intimidating with her power red lipstick and her long black blazer. I was drawn to her and wanted to get to know her, it was about 20 attempts after that night of me asking her friend before Kaitie finally gave in and said yes to going on a date with me. We were having a great time on our date at Quartino's and Pops Champagne bar when Kaitie decided to hand me her phone and make me take a personality test. The test said that we were compatible, but I think it freaked Kaitie out as 10 minutes later she was saying good night and taking a cab home. It all worked out in the end as here we are now and all I can say is that she was worth every attempt and every compatibility test that I had to take.

2020 started with Kevin and I moving in together as the city was shutting down for the first time. It was indeed a trial by fire as we were now in an 800 sq. foot apartment. This was a big step for us as we started talking more about our lives and the idea that we would want to be engaged and married after I graduate. Little did I know, Kevin already had my ring picked out and designed even before we moved in, while his mom and aunt were in town in February 2020! Last year brought us a fantastic gift with my niece Gemma Clare's birth, but unfortunately, we couldn't safely meet her right away. So in August, we quarantined for two weeks to make the trip to Saint Louis to finally meet her! Once we got to my brother's house and met miss Gemma Clare, Christy, my sister-in-law, suggested we go to a park and take pictures of Gemma. We went to Forest Park and walked around for about 20 minutes as all I could think was, "when are we going to take these Gemma pictures??" We ended up stopping at a large fountain area where Kevin wanted to take a picture. His plan was perfect until he thought, "how am I going to get her to stay and not walk away after the picture" (which I did do, by the way...twice). He grabbed my hand and pulled me back, got on one knee, and asked me to marry him with the beautiful sun setting behind us. I was utterly shocked! I had an out-of-body experience, seeing the person I love down on one knee with my brother and sister-in-law there to celebrate. All I could do was nod my head yes. As we got back in the car, he told me to text all of my friends so that I wouldn't immediately call my family...he had one more surprise up his sleeve. Once we returned to the house, I was still in a texting frenzy that I walked right past their back door where my parents, sister, and dog Khloe were all waiting for us! It was so special to see the rest of my family celebrate with us. We can not wait to celebrate our wedding with everyone this December!