David and Kendal first met at a sorority women’s self defense training course, hosted by his fraternity. David was volunteering to help sorority women at FAU learn defensive moves.The two spent the entire hour class talking to each other, Kendal admittedly didn't learn much self defense - the two were too lost in conversation. Immediately after leaving the FAU Rec Center, where the course was being held, Kendal jumped in the car of her best friend (now maid of honor), Kirsten and said "she had just met the man she was going to marry." David couldn't stop thinking about this beautiful woman he had met and realized he had not gotten her number.
On April 6th, they both attended OwlThon, a 13.1 hour dance marathon raising money for the Shand’s Children Miracle Network Hospitals in Gainesville,Florida. It took David 13 hours before finally getting the guts to go over and talk to Kendal - they instantly hit it off again. David talked to her about how he was preparing to bike across the country this summer for people with all different abilities: downs syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, etc. This especially hit home for Kendal, who's best friend and little sister Kylee has autism. Kendal became more smitten in that moment.This time, David was not going to let her get away without getting her number and asking her on a date... and the rest is history...
December 1st, 2018- Proposal day
Kirsten, had surprised Kendal with skydiving tickets as a college graduation present. Skydiving is something Kendal loves, it is so freeing and such an exhilarating experience for her. She was so excited to be skydiving, now for the third time - but this time with her best friend. They drove three hours to Titusville, Florida. At 6 in the morning, when they arrived, the weather was not looking very promising. The workers kept telling them that the weather was too bad to jump today and they could try to wait it out but it probably was not happening. On David's end, he was already driving up to Titusville and constantly calling the facility to see how the conditions were looking. He had big plans and was hoping it would not be ruined by a cloudy day - but started to call around and make backup plans: NO MATTER WHAT, HE WAS PROPOSING TO KENDAL THAT DAY.
Hours later, after most other people had either left or upgraded to a bigger plane and higher altitude, the site told Kendal they were going to jump. Little did she know, David was across the street waiting with some of Kendals closest friends and family. They took the smallest plane Kendal's ever been in for a 25 minute flight before getting ready to jump out of the plane. Kendal had so much adrenaline pumping but she was ready to experience this with her best friend.
Once Kendal jumped out of the plane she saw the most amazing views and was in her happy place, soaring through the sky. As they were parachuting down she noticed a sign on the landing spot, but could not read the sign until she had gotten closer. Once she did, she automatically started bawling. The sign read "Will you Marry Me?" and David was right there with Flowers in his hand waiting for her to land.
By the time she reached the ground, Kendal was ugly crying and had to crawl to David to help her up. They were both shaking as David got on one knee and held out the most beautiful diamond ring and asked Kendal to spend the rest of her life with him. After she said yes, Kendal turned around to see her friends and family, including Kylee, running over to hug her! At this moment in time, Kendal could not have felt more emotion and love. They spent the weekend at a Disney hotel with a perfect view of Cinderella’s Castle was the perfect way to start their engagement and the rest of their lives together.