Kathy and Ethan’s journey began at the University of Michigan, where they were both members of the College Republicans. Kathy often gave speeches in front of the members during her duties as vice chair, and Ethan couldn’t help but admire her confidence and passion. During the start of COVID-19, their friendship deepened as Ethan and Kathy would quarantine together and hang out for days at a time. They spent those days having wine nights, watching movies, and staying up until 3 a.m. talking. One particularly funny moment happened when Kathy ordered Joe’s Pizza during a snowy evening (it was very expensive to have it delivered), and Ethan continuously refused to eat any, pretending he wasn’t hungry—later admitting it was because he’s lactose intolerant lol!

When Kathy graduated, Ethan helped her move back to Florida, as friends, because he was still in denial that he was in love with her. During his short time in Florida, Kathy showed Ethan around her hometown and stopped by Gatorland to pet goats and feed alligators. Little did she know, Ethan had finally made a pivotal decision while watching Kathy get called up to hold a tranchula during the animal show. Later that day, they headed to St. Cloud Lakefront, where Ethan finally asked Kathy to be his girlfriend. Though he had promised himself he wasn't going to get into a relationship during college, he knew for sure he wanted Kathy to be his. She laughed and said, “Are you sure?” That evening, they had a celebratory dinner at Crabby Bill’s, where they were offered free oysters—now one of their favorite delicacies.

Soon after, Kathy and Ethan began a long-distance relationship between Florida and Michigan. Although the distance was challenging, the pandemic presented a silver lining: Ethan's online classes and cheap flights gave them the perfect opportunity to see each other often and deepen their bond. They made the most of their time together, creating unforgettable memories.

After Ethan graduated in the Spring, they moved to Washington, D.C., together to start their careers. But after two years, Ethan moved back to Michigan for work while Kathy stayed in D.C., beginning another period of long distance. While being apart wasn’t easy, it only strengthened their connection, teaching them resilience and the importance of cherishing their time together.

Their love story reached a new milestone during a European vacation in 2024. They climbed the Swiss Alps, enjoyed beer in Germany, and biked around The Sound of Music's filming locations in Austria. In Croatia, their final destination, Ethan surprised Kathy with a Sailboat adventure and asked her to marry him on August 30th—a perfect ending to a magical trip and the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

Kathy and Ethan are thrilled to celebrate their love story with you and can’t wait for what’s next!