The Beginning. For months on end, the only words spoken were: covid, pandemic, unprecedented. For two people who were at pivotal turning points in their lives, these three words brought about moments that instantly turned to love. Although everyone thought Mac was driving to Grand Rapids regularly to "social distantly grab ice cream with buddies," the lack of weight gain was suspicious. Ka'lee meanwhile was curious in discovering if that insane boy from across the pool deck all those years had any substance to him whatsoever. And so it was, the first polaroid picture of something special that no one knew about.

The Official Couple. Finally, after weeks of hanging around, Mac made things official with Ka'lee on July 3, 2020. The next month was spent traveling to the Upper Peninsula, hanging at The Beltline, and celebrating birthdays out on the town. All the while, Mac was finally settling down with a career in West Michigan and Ka'lee was preparing for her second year of teaching.

The Move-In. Fast forward through a year of school, work, friendships, and socially distant bar hopping in the snowy streets of Grand Rapids, Ka'lee soon came to the end of her lease. It was that fateful timing that led Ka'lee to move in to Mac & Nick's apartment as a third roommate in Grand Rapids. Oh the joy.

The Move. The biggest decision of a life time was made - the move to Chicago. With full skepticism at the forefront of everyone's minds, there were many challenges that were overcome. Ka'lee secured a third-grade position while Mac found a position for a real estate investment firm and began coaching swimming. Although the challenges were real, it drove this couple to truly bring their relationship to the next level. And oh, the best memories that were to be made going forward.

The Proposal. We fast-forward through an adventurous, incredible, knowledge-building two years in Chicago. Everything all building for this moment. The moment where Mac brings Ka'lee out on a humid summer evening, sweat pouring down on their brows, just to hear the most coveted words that can be said during a proposal, "I think I'm going to throw up."