In the summer of 2015, Kate, who was working as a writer at KU’s student newspaper, was assigned to cover a new exhibit at the museum in downtown Lawrence. When the person she was originally meeting with was running late, Cole (who worked at the museum) went to tell the reporter. As soon as he met her, Cole was immediately smitten with this sweet and cute reporter with an infatuating smile. As a professional journalist, Kate thought nothing of him talking to her about random things while she was just trying to do her job. After she finished and left the museum, Cole found her on Facebook to ask her out for coffee. Kate then informed him a “date” would have to wait -- because her editor wanted to do a follow-up story about him and other alumni working at the museum. In short, Kate got the chance to interview Cole before their first date! Luckily, he impressed her, and a few days later, the two met at a local pub to watch the US women’s soccer team play in the World Cup. The rest, as they say, is history.

In 2021, Kate and Cole (along with Kate’s parents) went on a national parks road trip to explore the Big 5 in Utah. On the second day, they climbed 1,300 feet to the top of Zion Canyon. While posing for a photo, Kate put her hand on Cole’s chest and noticed that his heart was pounding. She asked him why (knowing full well a proposal was on the way). Cole’s response? “We just hiked 1,300 feet!” In a mix of nerves and excitement, Cole got down on one knee and proposed. Kate said yes, and now they’re thrilled to finally get married seven years after their first date!