How We Met: It all started in the halls of St. Peter’s Elementary School. Kennedy and Jake were just kids, but little did they know it was the beginning of becoming each other’s best friend and eventually, lifelong partner. By 8th grade, they were officially a couple. Even when they went off to different high schools, Kennedy and Jake made it a priority to see each other whenever they could; whether it was weekend hangouts, school sporting events, school dances, or long phone calls and Snapchat catch-ups. As the years went on, Kennedy and Jake became intertwined with each other’s families and with big families, they quickly learned to embrace both the joy and chaos that came with family gatherings. The College Years: High school came and went, but their relationship only grew stronger. Jake followed his passion for football, first playing at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln before transferring to Northern Illinois University. No matter the distance, Kennedy was always cheering him on, whether from the stands or from home. Kennedy graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Psychology, while Jake earned his Business Management degree from Northern Illinois University. Long Distance & The Spark That Never Faded: Long distance wasn’t always easy, but it became part of their journey when Jake transferred schools and later when football continued to take him to new places. Through thoughtful gifts, surprise visits, quick weekend trips, and endless FaceTime dates, Kennedy and Jake stayed deeply connected. One constant throughout it all has been their shared love for movies, making cozy movie nights their favorite way to spend time together no matter the distance. Despite the miles, they never lost their spark. If anything, it only grew brighter. Time apart taught them to cherish every moment together and strengthened the foundation they built over the years. The Proposal: On July 23, 2025, after seven years together, Jake asked Kennedy to marry him. It was the moment they had both dreamed of and more. Looking Ahead: Jake has decided to play one more year of football and is currently living in California, playing at Fresno State. After the wedding, Kennedy will be joining him, and California will become their new home. As they prepare to tie the knot in the Sacrament of Matrimony on May 29th, they are excited to begin this next chapter together embracing new adventures, new memories, and life as California kids. They can’t wait to celebrate their big day with all of you, surrounded by the people who mean the most to them. — The Future Applegets 🤍