We can't wait to celebrate our love story with you!

After years of going to the same school and having mutual friends but never meeting ourselves, we finally bumped into each other one November day when I cut class to hang out with friends. I was wearing a heavy metal band shirt and zip-up jacket which caught his eye instantly. We started talking nonstop and hanging out every day. Our friends were shocked that no one had connected the dots before and everyone was gushing about how perfect we were for each other. It felt right and easy from the very start. There was never a question. On the day of our first date, we also shared first kiss(es) and first "I love yous". We got dressed up and went out to dinner at Italia Gardens. Our waitress commented on what a cute couple we were, not knowing that we had only been official for a few hours. If you're familiar with the 'door test' from the movie "A Bronx Tale", that exact scene played out when we left the restaurant that night (video link below for reference). A picture-perfect ending to an incredible first date. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8p1iG-6d-w

We started dating the winter of our senior year in high school, perfect timing to go to prom and enjoy all the graduation festivities together. We became inseparable, spending countless hours daydreaming, going to concerts, longboarding, going on breakfast dates, and coming up with spontaneous adventures to experience together. We spent the summer after high school going to tons of grad parties and bonfires and living up our first summer in love. That fall, we both started college at Mott, where Kaylyn played on the softball team and I majored in partying. After two years there, we continued on to Saginaw Valley State University where I got my degree in graphic design and Kaylyn got hers in occupational therapy. I became the president of a graphic design organization and Kaylyn became the treasurer of an OT honor's society. We both were members of Optimistic Club for a couple of years where we made some lifelong friends. In our second year at SVSU, we moved in together on campus and spent the rest of our time in college living in a small dorm, just the two of us. From tailgates and welcome weekends to hours spent in computer labs and libraries, we created a life together on that red brick campus that we'll always happily reminisce upon. On a crisp fall day in October 2018, I asked Kaylyn to marry me under the bell tower in the center of SVSU's campus. Of course, she said YES! The president of SVSU proposed to his wife under the same bell tower, it was quite romantic if I do say so myself! We got applause from passers-by and celebrated for the rest of the day. We spent the next couple of years being happily engaged and finishing college while planning our wedding!

Our ceremony and reception are at Le Fleur Decor, a vintage floral and decor shop owned by a longtime friend of my mother. After trick-or-treating in Hadley on Halloween as kids, we would go to Le Fleur Decor to enjoy homemade soups and snacks. Zach and I enjoy visiting Le Fleur Decor to buy plants, handmade jewelry, and candles, and to attend events and art shows. Our officiant, Pastor Todd, brought me, my sister and maid of honor Lindsey, and our father through catechism and confirmation, and we are happy to have him marry us in our special place. The venue is on Hadley Road in Hadley, Michigan, a one-stoplight town where I grew up and where we both have spent countless hours growing our love story together. From getting ice cream at The Parlour and drinks/snacks from The General Store, walking through the nature center, and spending summer afternoons in the lake at the Hadley/Metamora Recreation Area... To floating in the pool, sitting by a bonfire until the sun came up, and even living together at the Buzzell Homestead for a summer... We couldn't ask for a more homegrown love story!