It all started with a passion for fitness and tequila... Kyle's version: I remember leaving the gym for a few months and upon return saw the cute blonde girl weightlifting in volleyball knee pads in the corner. When my sister would ask me if there were any girls at the gym I was interested in, I'd say, "there's this girl Meredith who's pretty cute, but I don't really know her that well." Little did I know she found me repulsive. I decided I needed to get her attention somehow so I signed up for her handstand clinic and showed up in tights and a unisex racerback tank top to show off my guns. A few months later we were workout partners and started spending the early mornings together. This is when a person is most attentive, vulnerable, and free from distractions... except I soon found myself distracted by her jiggly booty as I "critiqued" her squat form. Fast forward to a mutual friends wedding at which we both decided to attend as singles. The wedding was beer and wine only, but I snuck in a flask of tequila to share with my workout buddy. We shared tequila, a quesadilla, and a guacamole flavored first kiss that night and the rest is history. A few months later after sneaking around and secretly dating for the summer we decided to make it publicly offic and try our hand at being roommates. We moved into a condo together and I will have to admit, at first I was unsure because she wouldn't let my cat move in with us. After a few months of cat-less agony we compromised and my kitty moved in with us. Shortly after, I would come home from work to find the two of them cuddling on the couch and studying together. Fast forward 5 years, we bought a house, and couldn't be more sure about spending the rest of our lives together. Mer is the kindest, most selfless, and caring soul I have ever met and I have even seen her sneaking secret kitty kisses. She brings out the best in me and makes me truly happy. Meredith's version: Fitness is a huge part of my life. I’ve transitioned from competitive sports to bodybuilding to Crossfit and now to a 30 minute workout in my basement while I study to pass my boards and become a certified Physician Assistant. All of these phases have held great meaning in my life and have allowed me to meet many people. Enter the Crossfit phase... I recently moved to Willoughby and began coaching at a new gym, The Bar Athletics. I began training in the morning with another coach so I could make it to my job on time. Kyle also joined in on the 5am fun. It should be known that there was a goal board in the lobby where everyone was supposed to write their fitness goals. Kyle wrote “Do not succumb to the power of women” & something about cats which I do not recall because it was not important to me at the time. Plus, who likes a cat guy?! Correction, Cat Dude. Then he signs up for my handstand clinic and shows up wearing leggings and a women’s racerback tank top. What the heck! On other days, he’d show up shirtless and shoeless, change for his workout, and blow snot rockets while he ran. Definitely not interested in that! We eventually became gym buddies and did the same programming. It was during this time that he called me “substantial.” Not ok. A few months later we attended the same wedding and shared more than the tequila he snuck in that night. You know what they say about tequila! Afterwards, we began texting and hanging out more. It was his quirky, funny conversation that reeled me in. Eventually, on top of the Emergent Tower at Holden Arboretum on 8/13/17 he asked me to be his girlfriend. While I said yes, I knew he came as a package deal. Being a BIG dog girl, this was scary for me, but yes, I had to learn to love a cat. Now here we are almost 6 years later and I am madly in love with the legging and women’s tank top wearing Cat Dude. He’s the perfect mix of quirky, loving, funny, calm, happy-go-lucky, down for anything, most supportive man I know and I’m so thankful for him.