In fall 2017, Kyle roadtripped across the country in a bus with friends so they could attend ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, where a friend was entered. When it was time to head back home, their bus broke down, so Kyle and friends were stuck in Grand Rapids for a couple of extra weeks (until he chose to fly back home). While in GR, some of Kyle’s friends applied for apartments and jobs and ended up finding a place. They decided to leave California for Michigan to save money and Kyle contemplated joining them. A year later, he did! He packed a suitcase and came to Grand Rapids for a cheaper — and colder — existence. The first week he was here, he met Juliana through a dear friend, and she gave him mangos before they walked around ArtPrize. They became friends and eventually did Star Wars DnD together, wine tasted and volunteered together. One fateful week in May 2019, Kyle decided to invite Juliana over for tacos. They were very delicious but she wasn’t sure it was a date. The tacos were delicious, though, and a few more hangouts, walks around the city and bouquets of flowers convinced Juliana to give the relationship a shot! A few months in, she knew Kyle was pretty great and kind and caring and that he’d likely be pretty nice to be with forever, but it took a few more months before “I love yous” were said (at least intentionally). After many delicious meals, walks, seasons of Buffy, roadtrips into nature, ventures into cities, lots of the 1975 and just learning to care for and serve each other, they decided getting married would be pretty swell! So in September 2021, they chose a ring, waited for it to arrive and — eventually — went to the beach on beautiful Lake Michigan where Kyle officially proposed!