We met and became best friends in 6th grade when Aplington and Parkersburg joined. We would save seats for each other, leave notes on each others’ trapper keepers, and would always crack up in the middle of class. Fast forward to 8th grade, we FINALLY told each other that we had crushes and began dating. Katie didn't have a cell phone, so her friends would give her theirs at sleepovers so she could talk to Kollin. We even had designated times of the day to ask for the bathroom pass so we could meet up and talk in the hallway. (Don't tell the superintendent!) We were each other's first kisses and first loves. We know… super young to say the 'L' word, but we both really meant it. I mean, hello, Katie signed Kollin’s broken arm cast TWICE. So romantic. Get your tissues ready: we broke up the weekend before high school. Throughout those 4 years, we remained (incredibly awkward) friends. Same friend circle and school activities, but we never really got back to being besties. We graduated in 2013 and went to separate colleges. Around our junior year, we were finally single at the same time. At one get-together over a holiday break, a college friend asked, "Katie, who is Kollin to you? Do you see the way he looks at you?" It was clear to everyone except us, apparently. We had our first real date a couple months later and immediately realized we should have been together all those years. We truly are best friends. It has always been him. It has always been her. We're total dorks and often reference the Harry Potter quote, "After all this time?," one asks as the other responds, "Always." Kollin even worked it into his proposal. We've been together for close to 4 years now, and we are continuing to grow with each other and in our walk with God. We've come a long way since those two awkward middle schoolers with crushes, but we wouldn't trade anything about our story since it brought us to each other. It really shows us how everything is on God's time. Here's to always!

After the wedding, we will both be moving into our home in Parkersburg, IA. We are very excited to be returning to the AP community and to be surrounded by our family. We have been working on projects like painting the cabinets, adding a backsplash, replacing the flooring, and taking out a wall! #JustHomeownerThings We will both still work at our current jobs in Cedar Falls– Spinutech (Katie) and Rabo Agrifinance (Kollin). Katie will continue photography and coaching girls basketball + track at AP. No pups yet, but we do have an adopted floofball of a kitty named Ascher. As for honeymoon plans, we will be traveling to the Bahamas the day after our wedding. Can't wait to soak up the sun (and eat our weight in food) as husband and wife!