The Fitzpatrick Family was invited down to the Rittgers/Yardley Family Lake House, where Grant and Caitlin first met. Every summer, they would see each other at the lake to enjoy time on the boat, play cards, and hang out around the fire.

After years of seeing each other at the lake, Caitlin and Grant finally started spending more time together. They went on a jet ski ride where Grant convinced Caitlin to climb up and jump off the "Bridge to Nowhere" together. They realized they enjoyed being adventurous, watching Love Island, and playing yard games together.

Grant made the first move (with a little help from Caitlin's dad, Brian), agreeing to travel to Kansas City to meet all of Caitlin's friends and celebrate her birthday. He stayed with the Fitzpatrick family and went to Hot Country nights with Caitlin and her friends! It was a great weekend together!

Caitlin took the next step by volunteering to drive Grant's uncle's dog to him in Oklahoma, an opportunity to spend more time with Grant and meet his friends. While in Oklahoma, they had a great time with Grant's friends at the casino, going on lots of walks and touring Bartlesville. By the end of the weekend, Caitlin and Grant officially started dating and doing long distance.

Caitlin made frequent trips to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to visit Grant. Even though it meant sharing a bathroom with four guys on the weekends, Caitlin didn’t mind. Together, they attended football games, went on coffee dates, and enjoyed time with friends.

Grant also regularly traveled to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to spend time with Caitlin. Although Caitlin lived in the sorority house, Grant made the best of it by crashing on friends' floors (thanks, Sydney and Tera!). They grew closer between hikes, sorority events, and trying new restaurants.

Grant and Caitlin found a unique way to spend time together: running and biking. Caitlin was training for long-distance races, and though Grant wasn't exactly a fan of running, he supported her by biking alongside her for up to 20 miles during training runs. The Creep N’ Crawl Half Marathon was the first race where Caitlin had Grant as her personal bike trainer.

Caitlin graduated from the University of Arkansas, and although she was headed back to Kansas to pursue her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at KU Medical Center, she and Grant made long-distance work again. Caitlin and Grant traveled back and forth between Kansas City and Stillwater, enjoying the time they could spend together despite their busy schedules.

To celebrate Caitlin’s graduation, she and Grant took their first official trip together to Gulf Shores, Alabama. It was one of their favorite vacations, filled with beach days, relaxation, and time spent with close friends.

Grant had a summer internship in Sweeny, Texas, with Phillips 66, and Caitlin flew down to visit him for the weekend. Grant had planned a perfect Saturday—beach time, local shops, and restaurants. Unfortunately, both of them came down with food poisoning that night. But after making it through that, they knew they were ready to take on anything together.

Grant graduated from Oklahoma State University and, determined to be with Caitlin, he worked hard to secure a job in Kansas City. He earned a position as a Fire Protection Engineer at Burns and McDonnell, meaning long-distance was finally ending.

Grant bought a home in Prairie Village, Kansas, for him and Caitlin to move into together. With help from family and friends, they spent their first month fixing up the house, painting, decorating, and making it their own. They were so excited that the long distance was FINALLY over, making every task worth it!

Grant started teaching Caitlin how to play golf, and while she’s still getting the hang of it, they’ve enjoyed hours together on the course. Whether riding in the golf cart, finding lost balls, or spending time together, Caitlin has learned to enjoy the game—especially with Grant by her side.

Caitlin and Grant continued their tradition of spending time at the lake each summer, surrounded by family and friends. Whether playing cards, enjoying the sun, or going on long boat rides, the lake has always been a happy place for them. This summer, they mastered double wakeboarding together!

Caitlin graduated with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from KU Medical Center. Throughout her years in school, Grant was there every step of the way—playing the role of her pretend patient, supporting her through the stress, and always ensuring she had time to study.

Grant planned the best surprise, taking Caitlin to the rooftop of Loew's Hotel for what Caitlin thought was just a night out. Without Caitlin knowing, Grant had been planning the proposal for months. He ensured every detail was perfect, from having a photographer capture the moment to packing the dress Caitlin wanted to wear. With the perfect setup, Grant asked Caitlin to marry him—and she said ""Yes!"" in complete shock and excitement.

Grant had another surprise in store, though. After the rooftop proposal, he took Caitlin to a second rooftop nearby, where their family and friends were waiting for an engagement party. Caitlin was overwhelmed with emotion as she realized what was happening, and tears of happiness flowed as she celebrated with everyone she loved. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.