Our story begins in January 2023, when Chris and Kaila matched on Hinge. In the nightmare world that is online dating, this match immediately felt different - questions were asked, messages were answered promptly, and there was genuine interest in meeting in person. Chris suggested dinner for a first date. Kaila typically sticks to drinks (no one likes being trapped through an entire meal), but she broke her rule - and Chris exceeded expectations by not only making a reservation, but also being incredibly fun, engaging, and easy to talk to. Bonding over a shared love of exploring new breweries and restaurants, our early dates often involved trying new places together for the first time. Those first months flew by in a blur of good food, good drinks, and even better company. About nine months into dating, Kaila discovered that Chris had been quietly keeping notes on their early dates and milestones along the way. Aww. Turns out we love an engineer who documents his data points. Around the one-year mark, life threw some major changes our way. Kaila was laid off and found herself navigating a full-blown identity crisis, while Chris took a leap of faith and started Rhodes Engineering LLC. Through uncertainty and transition, we leaned on each other and grew stronger together. About a year later, we decided to move in together. Kaila mourned the loss of her house, and together she and Chris worked to find a shared design style that felt like us. We found joy in building a new home with our boys - complete with mid-century modern elements, a touch of Southwest flair, and, of course, our weird wall. Along the way, we’ve been lucky enough to travel together - from Napa to Italy and Croatia, to quiet escapes to Kaila's ranch in Arizona. These days, you’ll still find us doing what we love most: traveling, discovering new restaurants and bars, and finding new places to explore together.