we’re getting married!!!

Kyle and Sophia first met as freshmen in high school in 2014, but it wasn’t until their senior year during their AP Spanish class that they became close friends. Sophia often asked Kyle to partner-up on classwork, greeting him with an obnoxious “Howdy pardner,” unknowing that she was his long-time crush. The two had an instant connection, and quickly bonded over music and culture. On the last day of school before their graduation, Kyle worked up the courage to chase Sophia down the hallway and ask for her phone number—and thankfully, she said yes! They stayed friends their first couple years of college, and in the winter of 2019, they started dating. On February 26th of 2020, just over two weeks before the world shut down with the Covid-19 pandemic, they made it official when Kyle asked Sophia to be his girlfriend. Since then, they’ve spent nearly every day together, growing closer through everything. Kyle proposed at sunrise on the beach on June 10th, 2024 during their vacation to Jacó, Costa Rica. They then celebrated their engagement that day at 6am by going to a diner in downtown Jacó called “Sunrise Breakfast.” Sophia’s best friend Sierra made her engagement ring with Kyle’s design in mind, making it even more special. Today, they live together in Fairview Heights with Leland, their spunky Bichon-Dachshund mix who fills their home with love and joy.