we're getting married!

Our story begins as high school sweethearts being introduced by a mutual friend at a Friday night football game our sophomore year. We started dating our senior year of high school after devouring strawberry Nutella crepes, a long walk around the mall, and a movie theatre date to see 'Office Christmas Party'. We spent our senior year together at hockey games, dance competitions, and Aubree's Pizza. We ended up going to the same school for college, Western Michigan University, where he graduated with a BS in Aviation Flight Science and she, a BFA in Dance. We’ve been dating for 7 years and did long distance for two of those to focus on our individual careers, but thankfully that ended in September when he finally moved to Chicago after landing a job with Envoy Air! We are outdoor adventurists, love vacationing anywhere from mountains to beaches, avid movie theatre goers, trashy TV enthusiasts, and love anything Italian food.

In an effort to surprise Kiera, Anders had Bruce Mann (co-best man), call her to try and convince her that he was proposing to his girlfriend at the time (now fiancée), and Kiera's maid of honor, Olivia Neitzel. He requested that Kiera and Anders photograph and video their proposal, and told Kiera the entire plan over this phone call. Kiera left this call quite skeptical and confused, knowing that Bruce and Anders had already made certain agreements between the two of them, but nonetheless excited for her friends. The next 24 hours consisted of Kiera trying her very best not to get her hopes up, asking way too many questions, avoiding Liv in order to not spoil surprises, and Anders nervously planning. The morning of 9/29, Kiera got up early to get ready for the proposal happening, whose ever it was, and Anders and Kiera headed towards Cantigny Park, a gorgeous park full of endless greenery and flowers. Anders lead them around the park to search for the best spot for "Bruce to propose," and took them into the 'rock garden'. Immediately the two of them see a tall man in a very bright green shirt and a dashing camera run in the opposite direction... too funny! They find themselves standing in front of a beautiful, picturesque landscape and Anders says "I know this isn't a surprise, but you're impossible to surprise," (he is not wrong...) and after a very heartfelt, thoughtful, and emotional speech, Kiera, to nobody's surprise, said yes! (: