As we are in this engagement season amidst all the wedding planning, bachelor/ette parties, and busy work seasons, we want to acknowledge you as the incredible people that the Lord has blessed us with. The amount of support, encouragement, and love that has been poured into the relationships we have with our family and friends is something that has played a critical role in who and where we are today. We pray that we not only never take it for granted, but continue to pour into those relationships as we do life together in all of its phases and milestones. It means the world to us to be able to share this special time with you and we couldn’t be more excited for it to be here!

Two midwest kids moved down south to Atlanta, Georgia to start new chapters of life. Sydnie’s call from the Land of 10,000 Lakes led her to start life at the Emory University School of Law. Keiton’s journey from the Great Lakes State to life in a new career, a big city, and reuniting with cousins all at once. The two had unknowingly gone from 650 miles apart to a 30 minute drive.

The rest of 2020 and 2021 were filled with law school semesters and public accounting busy seasons, experiencing all that Atlanta has to offer, creating memories with family and friends, and figuring out what life in our 20’s was shaping out to be. As 2022 began, the idea of love and a significant other was perceived in nearly opposite ways for the two.

Sydnie had just been in a period of swearing off dating (partly due to the male species, partly due to commitment to law school studies). After much convincing by her dear friend Sydney (the irony), Sydnie was swayed to give dating a chance again, thinking she would enter her “dating era”.

Keiton, who had always been told he needed to lower his standards because that girl didn't exist, had just gone through a year and a half of dates trying to find that girl.

Now, if you had told either one of them that they would find their future spouse on a dating app, they would’ve never believed you. However, on June 21, 2022, the two were in their Atlanta offices, close enough to be in each other’s search range. Sydnie just happened to be on a mid morning Hinge break, where she saw Keiton’s profile and sent him a like.

The pair quickly bonded over being from the midwest, experience playing DIII college sports, affinity for Marvel and Star Wars, and the same sense of humor. Sydnie may have made the first move, but Keiton asked for the first date. The couple met for the first time on June 24th at Victory Sandwich Bar in Atlanta before heading to The Painted Duck. Right away, they discovered that they shared similar dreams, ambitions, and goals for the future. Keiton came home to tell his roommates “this girl is different, I think there could really be something there.”

It only took a month before the couple made it official on July 24, 2022. The next 754 days were filled with hikes, Braves games, visits home to Michigan and Minnesota, countless trips to Cava, Michigan football Saturdays, and dates exploring Atlanta. The duo experienced milestones like Sydnie graduating from law school, passing the Bar exam, staring her career as an attorney, Keiton buying and renovating a townhome (with lots of help), and just doing life together.

On August 16th, 2024, after nearly 3 months of planning, Sydnie attended her roommate’s “work event” at Cator Woolford Gardens, where Keiton was waiting to begin forever with the girl that he was told didn't exist. Afterward, they met their incredible family and friends at the place where it all began, The Painted Duck, for a surprise engagement celebration. It was a weekend that will always hold a special place in our hearts!!