#eleventoseven2024

The story of Brandon and Kelly started years before their initial first date. In 2015, Brandon was assigned a seat in the University of Kansas (KU) Pharmacy school that would kick off the close encounters. Kelly's older sister, Amanda, happened to sit in the exact same row as Brandon. Amanda's love for cats and strong-willed academic-driven personality clashed with Brandon's preference for dogs and sheer determination to "enjoy the college experience." For 3 years they were sworn enemies in class. When Kelly enrolled at KU, she dove into Greek life [Alpha Delta Pi], late nights, and long hours of volunteering. During her freshman year, her sorority had partnered with Alpha Tau Omega for homecoming competitions. Brandon had joined Alpha Tau Omega that same year. It's been reported that Brandon and Kelly were in the same room up to 12 times...but they never met. These close encounters continued as Kelly attended Amanda's pharmacy events, such as the Mr. Pharmacy competition. Brandon was one of the contestants that year, and most notably won the crowd over with his rendition of 'Tear Drops On My Guitar' (Taylor Swift). Both Kelly and Brandon graduated from KU in 2019, without ever meeting (they would both later say this was God's divine intervention). In 2022, both Brandon and Kelly received advice from friends to download Hinge. After a few days of swiping they both "swiped right," on each other. Quickly into the first date, it was discovered that Brandon knew Kelly's sister. It was also quickly discovered that Kelly was opposite to her. A first date turned into another. It continued into summer nights spent exploring Austin, weekend trips up to Dallas, and hill country. They paid a pilgrimage back to Lawrence, KS, and met each other's VIPs. It was established that while Kelly and Brandon are their own people, they are very similar in personality: kind, caring, and funny. Brandon and Kelly are ecstatic to start this next chapter surrounded by family, friends, and notable figures who played a vital role in helping them become the people they are today.