Well it all began a long long time ago…1987 was the year, Kevin was born in Oceanside, CA and it wasn’t for another 29 years that even the idea of Jillian would exist. He grew up in Carlsbad, CA where the weather was a typical 70 degrees Fahrenheit year round. It was a tough life, so he thought, but then he met Jillian, and learned about frigid winters, and what’s known as “seasons,” he then realized that he had a blessed youth and life of only two seasons.

Kevin, being the youngest of four learned how to be different while also really just being the exact same as everyone else. Personalities in the Connally Family are all quite similar, but to be most noted - stubborn and proud. They love well, and welcome in strangers like family. Thankful for the upbringing he had, he desired new experiences and sought after the calling over his life, to stay true to that love for others, and ministry to influence others for Jesus. So, he moved to Australia after a few years in the corporate work field. He trained in ministry, leadership and music. After three years in school he then moved to Nashville, TN to pursue this passion of music and ministry where he met Jillian in church.

Jillian, grew up in Michigan, where people say “ope” a lot, don’t ask… it’s a thing. She grew familiar with the many seasons and slushy winters that Michigan can bring, and savored the summer time on the lakes, also known as “Lake Life.” Being the middle child and only girl she had the love and support a middle child needs - she thrived and grew to become an incredible woman. She spent most of her whole life on the western side of Michigan and after college felt the desire for a change in scenery. So she made the move to follow her best friend and closest cousin, Jordan, to Nashville, TN about a year and a half before Kevin would arrive.

One Sunday morning, during a church service Kevin was standing in the back of the auditorium and noticed Jillian walk in. This also was the start of the relationship series in church, so when the pastor asked “where are my singles at?” Kevin made the wise decision to check and see if she raised her hand….and just so happened, Jillian rose her hand. After about a week or two of doing the usual weekend services, both Kevin and Jillian “happened" to be at the same young adult small group. This was where the ice was broken, and they introduced themselves to one another. After a couple day time walks through the park, and a five month journey of friendship, Kevin asked Jillian August 15th, 2017 if she wanted to be his girlfriend, and she said, “yes.” This started a new journey of being a couple and as they grew closer to each other and God, they talked about what a future would look like together.

The weeks leading up to this day Kevin had planned, what he thought to be, the perfect engagement. He arranged the photographer's to play along, he had Jillian believing that it was just a fun photo shoot with a friend, and that nobody knew anything about the planned engagement. Well, the morning of Kevin went to find the spot he planned to propose, which was a spot he noticed the first time the two had ever hung out. When he found the spot, he was overwhelmed and had a moment with God, thanking Him for the grace and blessings over this relationship. After that, he immediately went to the grocery store to grab some sparkling wine, for later celebrations. Calling Jillian's roommate and best friend, Marilynn, they planned the post engagement celebrations with a few close friends. Jillian had no idea that this was happening, she was so unaware that even during the photoshoot noticed a blanket at the spot, not realizing it was the same blanket used on multiple occasions between the two of them. Well, this was where the photographer left the spot, and our second photographer, unknown to Jillian, was hiding in the trees to capture the proposal. She said, "YES!" and then we had an impromptu Engagement Shoot, with both photographers and later after all the phone calls and FaceTime conversations, the two went back to Jillian’s apartment to be surprised by friends and family for a brief celebration before going out to dinner for more celebrations.