We met on the very first day of our 6th and 8th grade years—two awkward middle schoolers who definitely did not experience love at first sight. At the beginning, we were pretty neutral about each other and would have had no idea how important we’d eventually become in each other’s lives. We became friends through Nolan Middle School’s Technology Student Association, where we spent years working on elaborate, long-term projects and traveling across the country to compete. From the start, we made a great team. Kaitlin focused on research, writing, and concept design, while Jon built and brought those ideas to life. Outside of school, we loved playing board games, spending time with friends, and adventuring around our city. By our 8th and 10th grade years, we were inseparable—close enough that people constantly asked if we were dating. At the time, we would have laughed and said absolutely not. It wasn’t until high school, during our sophomore and senior years, that something shifted. We were nervous to risk such a strong friendship, but we decided to go for it—and not much changed, in the best way. We were still best friends. We continued growing together through college, starting at the State College of Florida and later attending Florida State University. Over time, through countless small moments and shared experiences, it became clear that we had found not only a partner, but the kind of person we wanted to build a life with. Today, we’re grateful to be in a season that feels both exciting and steady. We’ve each earned graduate degrees and built strong foundations in our careers. We recently closed our first home in March 2026, and we’ve also adopted our first puppy—our sweet golden retriever girl, Olive—who has already filled our days with a lot more joy (and fur). We’re so excited to celebrate this next chapter with all of you.