To know the full story we’ll have to rewind back to July 2022. Kelly needs it to be known that she made the first move, but Wren is always quick to point out that’s because she had to-that is how Bumble works after all. After answering correctly about whether plates or bowls were better and some chatting, Kelly and Wren planned their first date at The Mud House (a local coffee shop in St. Louis). We sat at a table talking for hours telling stories about the past, hopes for our future, and our respective feelings about having children someday. While talking, Kelly nearly knocked her water cup over numerous times, making her clumsiness and nerves clear to everyone. Wren found it endearing, but did decide to move the cup over to prevent spills. After that first date, we didn’t go longer than a week between seeing each other. We continued going on dates- trying new restaurants, going mini golfing, apple picking, watching Big Brother, and just generally enjoying our time together. Wren felt more confident after Sloane (our one and half eared dog) gave Kelly her approval- two paws up! Throughout those early days of dating Kelly found Wren’s biggest red flag to be his status as a Cubs fan, meanwhile Wren was appalled to learn Kelly had never seen Miss Congeniality, immediately initiating an emergency watch party. Our relationship continued growing as we continued growing individually and as a couple. Kelly started graduate school at UMSL studying social work to shift career paths. At the same time, Wren was leaving the field of social work for construction management, all the while continuing his studies at Ranken. We survived a cross state move, and as we stood on the side of the highway in East Saint Louis, picking up the remnants of a box that had flown off of the truck, we knew this relationship could handle some stressful moments. Love makes people adapt and change their minds, and this was extremely true for Kelly when we adopted our dog Winnie together in April 2023. Kelly was a staunch proponent of no-dogs-together-before-marriage, but the first time we saw Winnie’s little underbite smile we knew she belonged with us. Our spoiled dogs were probably the most excited when on July 24, 2023, exactly one year after our first date, Wren planned a beautiful picnic proposal in Forest Park. The moment was captured and after Kelly said yes our friends jumped out from all over to celebrate with us. It was a hot and humid day in St. Louis, but the love we felt that day will always be the first memory that comes to mind.