This love story began in high school, where Michael first saw Kaitlyn during the freshman homecoming parade, where he sat across from her on a float. They were in different classes through most of high school, so they didn’t get well acquainted until after they met at Wash MO fair in the summer of 2018. They cultivated a strong friendship in the last months of senior year that set the foundation for their relationship. In the summer after graduation they began dating and continued throughout college. Kaitlyn went to SEMO and Michael went to Missouri S&T. Despite the distance they visited each other as often as they were able. After graduation they both got jobs, only a quarter mile away from each other. On September 28, 2024 Michael proposed to Kaitlyn at the St. James fish hatchery where they had visited previously for dates. She said yes and they are excitedly awaiting the big day!