From what started as a simple “DM” on Twitter in high school, to an 8 year journey across multiple states, countries, and time zones… neither one of us could’ve predicted what our love story would become and where it would take us along the way! But let’s rewind a little and give our guests an inside scoop to the nitty gritty details of how our love story began… In January of 2017, halfway through their senior year of high school, Katie found herself contemplating whether or not she should express her interest into a scrawny soccer player she found to be “cute”. Not knowing the best way to go about it she resorted to Twitter. Even though she had the comfort of hiding behind a screen, Katie still couldn’t muster up the courage to send a message. This led to her best friend, Kaylie, taking matters into her own hands and hitting send for her. Meanwhile, Aaron was several states away (which you will find to be a common trend in the early years of their relationship) for a soccer tournament. Chilling in his hotel room with his soccer buddies, Aaron noticed a DM pop up on his phone from someone he wouldn’t expect. Quickly unlocking his phone to see what the message says, Aaron goes into his Twitter DM’s to see the below message from a “Katie Shaw”: “Hey!! We should talk more :-)” After careful consultation with his soccer buddies to see if they thought this Katie girl was worthy of the great Aaron, (which ultimately consisted of them stalking Katie’s Instagram), Aaron responded to her DM with the following: “Yeah for sure, I’d like that!” Blown away from Aaron’s crazy game and “rizzing” abilities, Katie fell deeply in love. Happily ever after, The End… just kidding :) Little did they know this was just the start of their forever love story. As you all already know, there have always been two main drivers of Katie and Aaron’s lives, Katie with her passion of teaching individuals with Special Needs and Aaron with his love for the game of Soccer. So, as Katie and Aaron enjoyed the final weeks of their senior year, they quickly realized that their passions were going to separate them for the first time in their young relationship. Katie would end up going to Winthrop University in South Carolina to study Special Education and Aaron would go the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado to begin his academic and athletic career. Now, not only were they going to be long-distance for the first time, Aaron’s summer was also going to be cut short as he had to attend Basic Cadet Training, more commonly referred to as “boot camp”. So, after being in a relationship for only a couple of months, Katie and Aaron put their love to the test as they would have to communicate exclusively through letters for 6 weeks while Aaron completed boot camp. Their first experience as a long-distance couple right after high school ultimately set the stage for what was to come in their relationship. It was a true testament to their love and devotion for each other because, no matter the circumstance or distance between them, they always remained committed. Whether it was expensive flights or long drives, they made their relationship work no matter what. And after six years of long-distance, Aaron and Katie finally moved into their first place together, along with their dog, Zola, in August 2023. The end of their long-distance relationship marked the beginning of the next chapter in their lives. Aaron, after years of friendly heckling from friends and family, finally got down on one knee and asked Katie to marry him! All the flights, long drives, and handwritten letters were finally worth it as they got what they always wished for. Now, they look forward to traveling long-distance together once again to become a married couple alongside their friends and family in Mexico!