Kate grew up in the bustling metropolis of Red Oak, Iowa—a town best known for its cattle, corn, and the fact that the cows outnumber the people. As a farmer’s daughter, Kate proudly knows... absolutely nothing about farming. Or cattle. But she can rock a pair of boots and tell you where the best Dairy Queen is within a 50-mile radius, so that counts for something. Meanwhile, Chip was raised in Pittsburgh. He also knows nothing about cattle. Chip now works as a firefighter and has always been drawn to the outdoors—climbing, camping, trail running, and for a stretch, even living in a van. He’s the kind of guy who thinks the best plans usually involve dirt trails, fresh air, and possibly forgetting to shower. Both Kate and Chip moved to Colorado in 2021, completely unaware that the love of their life was also wandering the Rockies looking for something… just not each other (yet). It wasn’t until a fateful night at the Grizzly Rose—a country bar where boots are mandatory and twang is inescapable—that their paths finally crossed. Kate was out with her girlfriends, having zero interest in meeting a man. Chip, who had never heard of Casey Donahew (and still isn’t quite sure if he’s a person or a brand of whiskey), just came to two-step and vibe with his friend Cooper. Cue Kate’s childhood friend Grace, who ran a full background check on Chip (church attendance? check. nice guy? check. tall enough? check-ish?). Kate remained skeptical… until Chip’s devilishly good looks and highly questionable dance moves swept her off her boots. Kind of. Chip, flustered and unprepared, accidentally gave Kate a fake number (truly a bold move), but thankfully her friends made sure he left with her number, because even they could tell something special was starting. Their first date? Only the finest: the dining room at Dairy Queen, where romance bloomed over Blizzards and a heated theological debate. They both agreed it went great—and that they should definitely not date. God, as usual, had other plans. “Coincidental” run-ins (Chipotle, Wash Park, interpret as you will) turned into “casual” runs together—classic friendship stuff like when Kate rescued Chip after his motorcycle ran out of gas, damsel-style. Finally, after another routine “casual” run, Chip made a move and popped open his trunk to reveal two folding chairs, two spoons, and some ice cream. And that’s what they call their 2nd first date! It had become painfully obvious they weren’t just running laps—they were running toward something real. Now, here’s something you should know about Kate: she’s an Assistant Athletic Director at the University of Denver, and regularly kicks Chip’s butt in just about every sport—basketball, pickleball, even sprinting to grab groceries. Chip, ever the optimist, looks forward to a lifetime of steady improvement and is confident that one day, just maybe, he’ll beat her. Once. Maybe. Kate still occasionally wonders if she’s taller than Chip. She’s not. But the doubt lingers just enough that she may forgo heels on the wedding day. We all have our burdens. Eventually, they gave this thing a real shot. And spoiler alert: it worked. Chip proposed on a run in Waterton Canyon (because nothing says romance like being sweaty and out of breath), and they celebrated that night at Kate’s brother Pete’s band gig (shameless plug: Johnny and the Walkers). At the heart of their story is their shared Christian faith. It’s the foundation of their relationship, their purpose, and influences the way they hope to love each other and the world—with unity, joy, and just enough sarcasm to keep things interesting. And now… they’re getting married. Praise God. And also, thank you Dairy Queen.