Kyle and Brittany went on their first date in 2014 during their junior year of high school (9 years ago!). Some of their first dates included going to the movies, trips to Brookfield zoo, and game nights at the Cacciatore house. Throughout high school they attended school dances, went to each others athletics events, and supported each other's extra-curriculars. This picture was taken at Kyle and Brittany's senior prom.

Kyle and Brittany's first vacation together was to the BVI's the spring break of their senior year. It was the the first of many vacations with the Handley Family! Here Kyle got certified to SCUBA dive, a Handley family requirement and favorite pastime.

In 2016, Kyle and Brittany graduated from high school. Kyle was off to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Brittany was to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. They made the difficult decision to date long distance during their undergraduate education.

Time away from each other was difficult and many 8-hour car trips and flights from Champaign to Lincoln were made. In the end they made it through and have many fond memories of long weekends and vacation breaks. Here they are at one of Kyle's fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, semi-formal events.

During their undergraduate education their adventures continued! Skiing in Park City, sky diving in Hawaii, and food tasting in Vietnam are some of their favorite memories.

As graduation neared, both Brittany and Kyle faced the next step in their lives. For Brittany the choice was clear, she was going to continue on in her education to become a veterinarian. With a little convincing that Kyle would also be a good veterinarian, he also applied to vet school. Brittany was accepted into the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and Kyle was accepted into the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. A great result as they are two very selective schools, but unfortunately for them it meant more long distance.

They struggled to spend a 5th year apart, during COVID, and while going through difficult academic programs. They kept hope that one of them would be able to transfer to the other's university. So when the time came, Brittany started the arduous process to apply to transfer to Illinois. One month before they were going to start the second year of veterinary school, Brittany was accepted to U of I in the same class as Kyle! Finally, they were together!

It was not long until they were on Petfinder looking for a dog to adopt! Once they saw Bluebell they fell in love with her and picked her up 2 days later. It turns out a "leg injury" was actually a full break and they spent 3 months and a lot of vet appointments until her leg was healed! Bluebell is a loved member of both Cacciatore and Handley families and she bosses around the Handley family dogs, Pirate and Captain.

After spending six and a half years together it was time to get engaged! Kyle asked Brittany to marry him on a sunny April afternoon and surprised her with an engagement party. All their friends and family drove down to Champaign to spend a very special day with them.

Currently, Brittany and Kyle are getting close to the end of their clinical rotation year at the U of I Veterinary Teaching Hospital. They are both eagerly looking forward to their graduation and their wedding, both happening in May! Pictured is when they both successfully finished their first spay surgeries during their Junior Surgery course.