Makenzi and Kyle’s story began with a twist of fate. While moving into her grad school apartment wearing an Alabama sweatshirt, she had no idea her new neighbor, Kyle, had once coached there. When he returned from coaching a Castleton Hockey game that night and saw Makenzi for the first time, he claims that that interaction was all it took to win his heart over. From the start, Kyle’s kindness, patience, and the way he truly listened to Makenzi’s stories while getting to know each other began to melt her guarded heart. Between long talks, honest conversations that never scared him away, and date nights, something special grew between both of them that was evident. She’ll never forget the morning of her first day as a college soccer coach, when Kyle left her favorite treats outside of her door, echoing a tradition of her late grandfather. In that moment she knew felt not only seen, but heard. Their shared love of sports became the foundation of their relationship, teaching them how to show up, support, and believe in one another whether it was late nights at the soccer field or cold evenings in the ice skating rink. Now, with their playful pup Axel by their side, they continue to find joy in life’s simple moments and look forward to every new chapter together.