Chad and Kelsi's story is not unlike others. What sets the story of Chad and Kelsi’s apart, however; is the fact that they were unknowingly navigating eerily similar paths through life but, except for one small crossover, had no indication that they were in such short proximity to the other. Chad and Kelsi met through Steph Christian, who is Chad’s cousin and Kelsi’s childhood friend and basketball teammate for most of her playing career. Chad and Steph were very close growing up and although Chad had heard of Kelsi and had a good idea of who she was, their paths did not cross until much, much later. Chad and Kelsi attended the University of Iowa after high school. They lived in adjacent dorms on the west side (best side) with Chad placed in Rienow and Kelsi in Hillcrest. Almost daily Chad frequented Hillcrest to hang out with one of high school friends and conversely Kelsi often found herself in Rienow visiting one of her middle school friends. Both Chad and Kelsi also frequented many of the same downtown bars during their time in Iowa City including SpoCo, Brothers, and DC’s. You might think it was inevitable that their paths would cross at some point during their time in Iowa City, but alas they did not. In 2017 Kelsi moved to Chicago to start her professional career. Chad unknowingly followed suit when he moved to Chicagoland in 2018 to start his career. The first time Chad and Kelsi met was when Steph came to visit Chad in Chicagoland on Nov. 3, 2018. During her visit to Chad’s new apartment, Steph had the idea that they should go to a Bulls game together. Steph, having played basketball with Kelsi growing up, also invited her to tag along. Finally, the stars were beginning to algin for Chad and Kelsi! There was one problem, however; Chad was already in a relationship! The night of the Bulls game Kelsi attended as a fifth wheel with Chad, Chad’s then girlfriend, Steph, and Steph’s then boyfriend now husband Nate. That night, the Bulls ended up losing to the Rockets 88 to 96 perhaps foreshadowing the inevitable downfall of Chad’s then relationship. The next chapter in our story begins in October of 2019. This is the year Chad moved to downtown Chicago where he lived in the West Loop neighborhood. During this time Kelsi lived in the Loop neighborhood just 1.5 miles from Chad’s new apartment. Kelsi also walked to work in the West Loop where her office was just 0.8 miles from Chad’s apartment. During this time Chad and Kelsi frequented many of the same bars and restaurants in the Chicago area including Parlor Pizza, Clover, Au Cheval, and The Original Mothers. Despite many opportunities to reconnect in Chicago, Chad and Kelsi did not meet again until they were both back in their home state of Iowa. On the night of August 14, 2021, Chad was still living in Chicago. He traveled back to his home state of Iowa to celebrate the marriage of his cousin, Steph and her husband, Nate. It was at this wedding reception that Chad reunited with Kelsi. Chad remembers seeing her from across the room for the first time. She was wearing an elegant blue dress that matched her beautiful alluring blue eyes. Kelsi on the other hand vividly remembers the black and yellow Jordan’s Chad was wearing that night, as she is a shoe lover as well. Chad approached her and they began reconnecting through their shared Bulls game experience, nights in Iowa City, and of course their time living in Chicago. After the wedding reception, Kelsi and Steph invited Chad to an after party at Kelsi’s house. This was when Chad learned that Kelsi had moved back home and was living in Saylorville Township just 10 minutes from his childhood home in Ankeny and her childhood home in Johnston. At the after party, Chad and Kelsi were beer pong partners where they proceeded to go undefeated that night at the beer pong table. If there ever was a love at second sight, it was sure to be when Chad and Kelsi met for just the 2nd time on the fateful night of August 14, 2021.

Chad and Kelsi planned an epic road trip across the Western United States during July 2024. The trip included the Badlands, Devils Tower, Glacier, Yellowstone, and the Tetons. Chad and Kelsi set out on the trip on July 18. They had everything packed and were very excited for the adventure ahead! Chad was also excited for a different reason- he had packed a ring without Kelsi’s knowledge. At this time, though, he had no plans of when, where, or how to propose. He did know that there would likely be an excellent opportunity sometime during the trip and so, as the boy scout motto goes, he came prepared. Fast forward to the 2nd night in Glacier at the hotel. Chad had a good feeling that the next day was going to be the day that changed his life forever- the day he would propose to Kelsi. While Kelsi was in the shower, he sneakily slipped the ring from his bag into his hikers backpack. On July 22, 2024, Chad and Kelsi set out on their next great adventure: the famous Glacier Highline trail. For those that don’t know, the Highline trail is a hiking trail that traverses high along one of the most beautiful roads in the world, the Going to the Sun Road. On the day of the Highline trail hike, Chad remembers the breathtaking beauty of the trail, but he also remembers the ring which was burning a hole in his hiker’s pack. For 4 miles Chad and Kelsi traversed the Highline trail and at every turn Chad looked for a good photo opportunity (and maybe a chance to bend a knee). Chad would not find an opportunity until later down the trail, when the trail opened from a meager 4 feet wide into a broad meadow scattered with boulders. It was here that they decided to break for breakfast. They climbed a boulder and were enjoying the views of Haystack Butte along with their granola bars and trail mix when a young couple approached them and asked if they could take their picture. Chad urged Kelsi to take the picture and while she was doing so, stealthily slipped the ring from his pack into his pocket. After Kelsi took their picture, they offered to take a picture of Chad and Kelsi. Knowing this was the moment, Chad grabbed the digital camera and asked the young lady if she knew how to use it. To Chad’s delight, she said that she had a similar camera! Chad responded, “take as many pictures as you can”. He then maintained his position next to Kelsi as she took photos of them before the picturesque background of the highline trail in Glacier National Park. During all of these photos, Chad had his hand in his right pocket clutching the ring, and his hand was trembling the entire time. He knew that now was the time, but he also knew that what would transpire would change his life forever. The young lady took many photos of Chad and Kelsi and then stopped to ask them if they wanted to view the photos. Chad, knowing he was about to blow his moment, quickly went over and asked her if she could just keep shooting. Then, he went back to position and, to Kelsi’s complete surprise, bent down on one knee and asked her “Will you marry me?”. Kelsi immediately burst into tears and said “YES!”. During this time, the young woman taking their photo was also caught completely by surprise and cried out “oh my gosh! I can’t believe this is happening!”. She did an amazing job and took photos of the entirety of the proposal which Chad and Kelsi will cherish for a lifetime! After the proposal, several onlookers came over and asked to see the ring, expressing their excitement for the events that just transpired. It truly was a magical moment! After the proposal, Chad and Kelsi would be congratulated along the trail by several others who saw the proposal from afar.