We met the typical modern way...a dating app. Kathryn listed different first date ideas. Kyle liked that "going to the zoo" was one of the options. Since he had not been to the zoo since he was a child, he thought it was time to go again. We met at the front entrance of John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan and both were smitten. Kyle needed to "warm up his hands", so he asked Kathryn to hold his hand, smooth move. They walked hand in hand, checking out the different animals and getting to know one another.

According to Kathryn: She loves to travel, so it must be important that her partner also loves to travel too. Kathryn and Kyle took a trip out to Seattle, Washington, in the summer of 2024. It was a good test to see how they fly on a plane, in a different time zone, handle travel snafus, and their travel compatibility together. Needless to say Kyle passed the test! According to Kyle: The Seattle trip was also a good indicator. Kyle knew Kathryn was the one when he found he could be himself around her. She absolutely loves his dog, Ash (who is a good person indicator.) He also confirmed his feelings when they could spend 3 weeks on the other side of the world, traveling together in Australia and New Zealand.

Kyle surprised Kathryn with a trip to Mackinac Island to stay at the Grand Hotel for their 2nd anniversary. Both had been to the island the previous summer and dreamt of staying at the Grand Hotel. The island was bursting with fall color. On the 2nd day, Kathryn and Kyle rented bikes and traveled around the island. They biked up to a spot called "Sunset Rock." Kyle was hoping there would be a nice sunset, but alas, it was overcast. Kathryn and Kyle peered around at the beautiful lookout overlooking the Mackinac Bridge, waiting for other couples to leave the area. Once the coast was clear, Kyle knelt and asked Kathryn, "Will you marry me?" Kathryn said, "Yes, of course!" They celebrated all the way down the mountain and enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Grand Hotel. It was truly magical!