Welcome to our forever! We’re so excited to celebrate our love with you. Thank you for being part of our journey. Love, Kaelee & Robert

Kaelee and Robert met how most couples do nowadays—on a dating app called Hinge. After talking for a little while, they set up their first date for July 18, 2022 (a day they now consider their anniversary). The night started with mini-golf and ended with dinner. What makes their story extra special is that they walked away from that same date with very different impressions. Kaelee went home and told her parents, “That was the best date I have ever been on,” while Robert told his family, “I don’t think she liked me much—she sat on the complete opposite end of the table and was quiet most of the date.” Luckily, Kaelee’s nerves didn’t scare Robert away, and Robert’s doubt didn’t stop him from asking her out again. One second date turned into many more, and before they knew it, they were building a life together—proof that sometimes the best love stories start with a little awkwardness.

As Kaelee and Robert began their relationship, they wasted no time getting to know each other—often going on one, two, and sometimes even three dates a week. Robert’s favorite story comes from their third date, when they went bowling (now one of their favorite hobbies together) and started winding down their evening. After what Robert thought was a wonderful night, he drove Kaelee home and walked her to the door. Being the polite gentleman he is, he asked Kaelee if he could kiss her goodnight. Kaelee—still shy, nervous, and wonderfully awkward—looked at him and replied, “No, thank you,” opened the door, and walked inside… leaving Robert standing on the front steps. Robert went home convinced that she didn’t like him at all. But shortly after, Kaelee sent him a message explaining that she simply wasn’t ready to move that quickly. Thankfully, Robert was patient—and very glad he was. Sometimes love starts with a little misunderstanding… and a lot of grace.

Kaelee and Robert had planned a trip to New York to go on a cruise with 28 family members from both sides of their families. They arrived two days early to explore the city and had a tour scheduled with Kaelee’s parents and aunt, visiting several iconic spots—including Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial. After the tour wrapped up and before heading to their next destination, Kaelee suddenly desperately needed to find a bathroom. While Kaelee searched (and finally succeeded), Robert kept saying, “Hurry up! We need to go—my parents and sister are looking for us and can’t find us.” Flustered and rushing, the couple finally made it up the stairs to the Rockefeller entrance, found their group, and jumped in line—only to learn there was no early entry and they would have to wait until their ticketed time. Kaelee probably should have been suspicious… but she was far too distracted by the bathroom crisis and the mad dash just to end up standing in line. Once they finally made it to the top, Kaelee was completely oblivious and simply excited to take in the views. Their group planned to ride the panoramic glass lift together. There were nine of them, and the lift could hold fourteen. Robert handed over their tickets and quietly asked if their group could ride alone. One incredibly sweet employee agreed and placed them in a holding area. Just as they were about to enter, two strangers were rushed onto the lift at the last second—forever known to Kaelee and Robert as “Richard” and “Peter.” At the top, Kaelee began recording the breathtaking city view and turned to pull Robert into the frame. Instead, she turned around to find him down on one knee. He looked at her and said, “I know I always said it would be five to ten years before we got married, but it’s felt like a lifetime. Would you spend another lifetime with me?” And just like that—amid New York’s skyline, a glass elevator, and two accidental witnesses—Kaelee said yes.