This love story began on August 4, 2020. With a dash of courage and a bit of outside encouragement, Chad would send Kristen a sweet, introductory message on Instagram. Little did they know, that message would be the catalyst to an everlasting love. The backstory that provoked said Instagram message can be owed to the timely scheming and encouragement between three best friends: Ryan Burnett, Chad’s cousin and groomsman, Mark Skeehan, and Travis Goodreau, Kristen’s older brother. Ultimately, they conferred and decided that Chad and Kristen would be a great match. Travis gave his big-brother-nod-of-approval, Ryan sent his cousin a nudge, and Chad waited all of five minutes to send that first, fateful message. The best part is that when these guys are asked who is ultimately responsible for this love story, they each point to themselves, without fail, take credit, and say, “you’re welcome!” Later in their relationship, Kristen would confess to Chad that she “technically” knew of him prior to that first exchange. To this day, Kristen remains steadfast in her contention that the timing wasn’t right. Although Chad often likes to poke fun at her for this, she was correct – God’s grace is what brought them together at exactly the right time. The bottom line… Chad and Kristen are beyond grateful for the family and friends that led them to one another.

After several weeks of non-stop texting and phone calls, Kristen and Chad decided to meet for their first official date. Chad drove down to Los Angeles from his home in Shell Beach to meet Kristen for dinner at “The Front Yard” in North Hollywood. Chad’s Take: "I wasn’t nervous at all, but Kristen had me in the hot seat right away…literally. The hostess sat us outside at a high-top table, my bald head placed directly beneath what I would describe as an industrial grade food-heating bulb. Combined with the pressures of a first date, a menu chalked full of spicy-only meal options, and my aversion to any meal above a ketchup-level of spice, the heat was on! I may have sweat a bit, despite ordering the blandest meal on the menu, but Kristen assured me she didn’t care. Hours passed by like a blur. We shared stories and had the most wonderful time together. Kristen was the kindest, funniest, most beautiful person I’d ever met." Kristen’s Take: "Chad says he wasn’t nervous, but I'm pretty sure he was shakin’ in his boots! To this day, high-top tables bring up a bit of PTSD for my sensitive baldie. All kidding aside, I was so excited to finally meet the guy I had been gushing over for weeks. Chad was exactly the man I had built up in my head. He was hot-damn handsome with a quiet confidence that made conversation flow seamlessly. The only hiccup to the evening is that Chad did NOT kiss me at the end of our date… but he’s a true gentleman, after all! As the story goes in our relationship, good things take time :)" The date was perfect and neither of them stopped smiling until their next date a few weeks later.