Her story began in Missouri, His in California, but theirs began in Glendale AZ. Gretchen went down to fellow Resident Assistant (RA) Kody DeHarts room to retrieve the RA phone. You see Kody was planning on playing softball with his brother and father that evening and needed someone to cover his RA shift. Knocking ever so casually, the door opened. As the door opened wide, there stood before her a handsome, young, buffoon. You see, less then an hour before that moment, Kody had described to said buffoon that there exists a woman kind and gentle, sincere and God fearing, brave as long as it didn't involve heights, and so full of laughter and heart. However, Kyle (the aforementioned buffoon) ignored the woman described until he opened the door and saw her standing before him. In that moment a man of many words found none. Gretchen asked for Kody as this wasn't a social call and without saying a word Kyle stood there... just standing there. Before seeming completely incapable Kyle pointed in the direction of his brother without uttering so much as a breath. Where we began may not have been the most charming encounter but it is one we wont soon forget.

Well that was an entirely different occasion. You see that night left quite the impression on Kyle so he thought he would follow Gretchen on Instagram. Gretchen however did not immediately recall the encounter and though she followed him back, it was only because she saw that it was Kody's brother and she didn't want to be rude. Rest assured Kyle slid into her dm's soon after he noticed she had been quarantined due to covid exposure. Offering his number and promising to entertain her amidst quarantine prison, she accepted and a line of communication was open. The two spoke frequently as Gretchen became more and more antsy hoping to escape her room, she devised a plan. Breaking school covid policy she fled her room under the cover of taking out the trash and off she went to find mountains. Filling Kyle in on every stop along the way she found herself staring at one of the most beautiful homes she had ever seen. As Kyle received that photo he was in disbelief. He recognized the home as it was his neighbors. Looking out his bedroom window, parked in front of his house, was the girl of his dreams. Now she claims this was all a matter of coincidence but few agree. Never the less Kyle ran out to meet her spawning a new age of late night conversations on his drive way, adventures, and onesies... so many onesies.

And so they dated, laughed, made memories and eventually started discussing what it would be like if they unified, under God, in front of all their family and friends. They talked about a summer wedding but didn't have the funds at the time to pull it off. What about a summer proposal and winter wedding? But winter would be too cold at the venue they wanted. Finally they had settled on an early summer proposal and a quick turnaround wedding in September. Now Gretchen was convinced Kyle was proposing in May. According to her, it was the soonest Kyle could get out to Missouri to speak with her father. However, Kyle and his family figured out a way to get him in Missouri (under the radar) in March while Gretchen was shopping for her wedding dress with her sisters. It was the afternoon of March 16th. Kyle stood on the dock where they had first confessed, "I love you!" Amy Wilson's car pulls up aligning the passenger side door with a candle lit path. Gretchen stepped out of the car and made her way through the grass. writhing with excitement and anticipation she asked if she could run to Kyle. Needing no answer she grabbed her dress and ran into the arms of her beloved. Kyle led her by the hand to the center of the dock. Kneeling he confessed his love, as he had done months before, and trembling he asked for her hand. At this she exclaimed "Yes!" Aside the setting sun, in an all too familiar location, they were engaged. Now if that wasn't perfect enough, one of the nearby neighbors decided to celebrate with them by launching a full size firework on the other side of the pond! After all that excitement we are so excited to celebrate with you all on September 4th.