Hinsdale, IL | Kelly becomes a big sister for the first time at 6-years-old when her brother Calvin was born! Enamored with her new siblings and new deep determination to care for them, she took her new role as 'big sister' very seriously. (Actual date not shown)

Hinsdale Adventist Academy, Illinois | Kelly graduated the 8th grade with her 26 classmates - some she had met in recent years prior, and many she had gone to HAA with since Kindergarten.

Wendella Boats Chicago | While waiting for her final course to begin in the Spring of 2016 at Andrews University, Kelly returned home for the interim summer and fall terms. In Chicago, she began her job at Wendella Boats located in the heart of downtown along the Chicago River. The memories made, friends and tourists met, and new experiences would exponentially increase her passion for learning foreign languages and cross-cultural communication, and love for Chicago's waterways, history, and architecture. She would continue seasonally with Wendella through 2017 as a Guest Services Ambassador and Ticket Seller on the dock, and Corporate Office Receptionist in the Wrigley Building.

Andrews University, Michigan | Kelly graduated from Andrews University with her Bachelor's of Business Administration in Marketing, 5.5 consecutive years as a percussionist with the Symphony Orchestra, one term as the Student Association Social Vice President, two terms as the Class President of the Class of 2014, and the 2015 Spirit of Andrews Award. (Pictured: Kelly's father Cesar, her mother Joneth, and her two younger brothers Calvin and Kevin).

Museum of Science & Industry Chicago | After her Bachelor's Degree graduation, Kelly returned to Chicago and happily re-engaged in the musical groups in her home church community of 26 years, Hinsdale Fil-Am SDA. In the church choir and Rondalla, the musical groups purposed to continue gathering and learning together, sharing in each others' company while sharing the Filipino culture with their church and surrounding communities. The Rondalla would travel for performances around Chicagoland and Milwaukee. One of Kelly's favorite features of being apart of the Hinsdale Fil-Am Chuch community was the steady and joyful engagement of family members of all ages - youth, young adults, parents, and grandparents from church - a core positive component of her growth and memories while growing up. The HFA Rondalla was invited for consecutive years to perform for "Christmas Around the World", an annual Christmas celebration at the MSI, featuring Christmas traditions from around the world.

Middle East University, Lebanon | After visiting with the Middle East North Africa Union SDA educational organizations in Lebanon in 2014 and 2016 as a student program coordinator and musician with the annual cross-cultural Friendship Team trip - comprised of volunteer Andrews University students - Kelly enrolled at Middle East University for the spring semester of 2017 to take classes. She would later return with the Friendship Team as a female chaperone in 2018, 2019, and 2022.

Andrews University, Michigan | In an unexpected turn of events, Kelly was recruited for and accepted a full-time position at her alma mater, Andrews University, as the Assistant Director of Guest & Convention Services. After four years of service and through the pandemic as the Isolation-Quarantine Hospitality Coordinator, Kelly resigned in June 2022 to embark on the next steps in her career and life.

Porcupine Mountains, Upper Peninsula Michigan | Along with a few of Kelly's symphony orchestra friends, Parth and Kelly embarked on a week-long trip of roadtripping, hiking, backpacking, and sightseeing historical sites and nature around the perimeter of Great Lake Michigan.

Eagle Harbor, Michigan | Budding best friends at the time, Kelly & Parth took their first backpacking trip with a small group of friends to the beautiful and remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is one of their very first photos together and marks the beginning of their hobby of "lighthouse hunting"!

St. Joseph, Michigan | After two seasons of playing with the SJCL, Parth's cricket team, the ____, wins the 2020 St. Joseph Cricket League championship during his third season with the league!

Purdue University, Indiana | After a couple years of amazingly balanced teamwork at work, a summer of friendship and sightseeing adventures, meeting Kelly's family in Chicago, many peaceful sunsets along the beach in St. Joseph, several cricket matches, a dozen home-cooked dishes, a couple rejections, a few hundred miles driven betwen Purdue and Andrews, a serious proposal of a committed, long-term relationship and their parents' prior-knowledge of their close friendship, Parth & Kelly officially agreed to begin their status as a couple.

St. Joseph Lighthouse, Michigan | One of Kelly & Parth's favorite spots at sunset - 20 minutes away from Berrien Springs at the beach at Tiscornia Park in St. Joseph.

Andrews University Airpark | Unbeknownst to Kelly, Parth had planned to propose after 2 years of dating. With the help of the Andrews University Aviation Department, Kelly's immediate family, and friends in Berrien Springs, Parth and Kelly enjoyed a private romantic sunset/evening flight over Lake Michigan and Berrien County and ended with the surprise proposal in the Airpark hangar. Evidently, she said "yes"!

Wrigley Building/Chicago River, Illinois | Agreeing to sign their marriage certificates in Kelly's home state, Kelly & Parth drove from Michigan to the Circuit Court of Cook County in downtown Chicago to officially join in marriage on 10/10/2023 exactly one month after engagement...only to realize that the courthouse was closed in recognition of Indigenous People's Day. Not to miss the opportunity for celebration, Kelly & Parth enjoyed a day of photo opportunities in their "swapped" traditional clothing - Parth wore a borrowed Filipino Barong from Uncle Cesar (Kelly's Father) and Kelly wore an off-white Anarkali dress made in India. The couple spent the afternoon taking photos around the beloved Chicago River in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado | After three 2,000-mile round-trips from Berrien Springs, Michigan, Kelly & Parth made the multi-weekend trip to settle into their first home together in Aurora, Colorado.

Adams County Government Center, Colorado | With their parents' blessings, Parth & Kelly finally obtained their Marriage License! At the nearest available county courthouse, the couple signed their legal agreement of marriage on the following "10th of the month", November 10, 2022 in the state of Colorado. To commemorate the occasion, they again wore "swapped" traditional attire with Parth wearing an off-white Filipino barong and Kelly wearing a light-pink kurta from India. It was a happy day!

Navy Pier Chicago, Illinois | After one year of calling Colorado "home", Kelly & Parth made the 2,000-mile round trip three times to Kelly's home state and re-settle together in Illinois. The couple is happy to call Chicago their new "home"!