It all started with a text. Kaitlyn had just gotten home for the summer for a 3-month break before heading into her senior year of college. Michael had planned a night of volleyball at their church, and he sent Kaitlyn a quick text, inviting her to join the fun. That was of course an easy yes for her, seeing as she loved volleyball. They enjoyed the night together with other young people but after that night, the texts still continued. It was mostly small talk, asking questions about each other and talking about their day. They found themselves getting excited any time they would see the others name pop up on their phone. The connection was undeniable, and they both knew it. As the summer drew to a close, Kaitlyn returned to college in Wisconsin, and Michael stayed behind in Tennessee working. Though they were apart, the memories of their time together lingered, and they couldn't help but wonder what might come down the road. As the months went by, Kaitlyn graduated from college and accepted a teaching job in Ohio. During their time apart, they both still thought of each other and had hopes that one day something more would come of their relationship. Then, in late March of 2024, Michael approached Kaitlyn's dad seeking his permission to start dating his daughter. Over the next few months, Michael and Mr. Whitney met several times, building a foundation of trust and understanding. Finally, in June, Michael received the long-awaited "yes." A few days later, Kaitlyn's parents took her out to breakfast to tell her the news. "There's a young man who's asked to start dating you, and we've said yes," they said with a smile. When they revealed Michael's name, Kaitlyn's heart skipped a beat, and tears of joy and excitement came. Their first date was on July 5, 2024 – a perfect summer evening. They enjoyed pizza at Kaitlyn's house, followed by fireworks. This was just the beginning of many wonderful dates, meaningful conversations, and a growing love between the two of them. The next couple of months, they were inseparable. They loved being together any chance they got. But when August rolled around, Kaitlyn returned to Ohio to finish her final year of teaching, and they embarked on 10 months of long-distance. FaceTime became their lifeline, with virtual "date nights" that included workout sessions at the gym, late-night fast food runs, and lots of chatting. Kaitlyn would visit home whenever she had the chance, and Michael drove to Ohio to visit on occasion while stealing the hearts of Kaitlyn's students. They may have liked him more than her. ;) In May, Kaitlyn returned home, and they were excited to put the long distance behind them. They dated for the next few months, and on October 24th, 2025, Michael popped the big question. Kaitlyn's excited "yes!" was the easiest decision she's ever made.