They met in pre-K at a Montessori school in Woodstock, where Kate developed a very serious crush and expressed it in the only logical way a four-year-old knows how: by chasing Carter relentlessly around the playground. Romance, but with Velcro shoes. Life, however, had other plans. They went to different elementary schools and slowly drifted apart, divided by the great and powerful Woodstock boundary of north sider versus south sider. Tragic, really. Middle school sent Kate to Rockford, then onward to Illinois State University, where she grew up, learned a lot, and became slightly less likely to chase boys during recess. Carter, meanwhile, headed to UW-Platteville, emerging as the confident “tough guy” character he is today. Both were living full, separate lives, completely unaware the universe was quietly warming up its matchmaking muscles. Fast forward to the tail end of their college years. On the same night, they unknowingly attended the same country concert. Same music, same wristbands, zero interaction. Missed connection number one. Undeterred, fate nudged them both to a town over, to the Old Town Tap. There, Kate sat with an empty drink, patiently waiting for some poor guy to buy her a new one. Carter, as destiny would have it, volunteered as tribute. What followed was hours of talking, laughing, and realizing something just clicked. They talked until the lights came on, which is bar-code for “you should probably leave but you don’t really want to.” From that night on, they’ve been inseparable. Since then, they’ve adopted the best and cutest dog, Senna, built a life full of love and laughter, and proved that sometimes the person you’re meant to marry is the same kid you chased around a playground years ago. Now, they’re ready to take their next step together into married life, no chasing required. 💛