2014 – A Swipe That Changed Everything

In August 2014, Kyle was a college student at Sinclair in Dayton, and Victoria was working at Gannett while living in Greenfield. Fate—or rather, Tinder—brought them together when Kyle visited Indy for his birthday, putting them within 25 miles of each other. They matched, and from the moment their first messages were exchanged, something clicked. The conversation never stopped, and soon, neither did their hearts.

A month later, in September, they met in person for the first time. Victoria knew right away—this was something different. Something real. Love was already sneaking up on her. They soon found themselves making the two-hour drive to see each other as often as possible, with Victoria willingly taking on most of the windshield time to visit Kyle in Dayton every other weekend. Their weekends were a beautiful blur of adventure, laughter, and stolen moments that made every mile worth it.

Kyle’s apartment on Water Street was filled with the warmth of home-cooked meals, the indulgence of Dorothy Lane Market’s Killer Brownies, and late-night walks to Southern Belle for beers and pool. Later, his high-rise apartment at the Towers became their new haven—date nights at the Dublin Pub, evenings spent wandering the Oregon District, and late-night street hotdogs that somehow tasted like happiness. The view from Kyle’s 12th-floor window was breathtaking, but Victoria would argue nothing compared to the way he made her feel.

Dayton became their city—the backdrop to a love story just beginning to unfold. From countless Dewey’s Pizza nights to Saturdays spent wandering the 2nd Street Market, from the hilarious Chinese takeout misadventure to cozy nights in, every moment became part of their story. If you ask Victoria, she’ll say Kyle was a “tough catch,” but the truth was written in every small gesture, every unspoken act of love. He was falling too—just quietly, just carefully—but falling all the same.

Their first official “date” wasn’t until the spring of 2015, when they dressed their best and shared a romantic evening at Harry & Izzy’s in Castleton. That night ignited a shared love for fancy dates, leading to another magical evening that summer—a decadent dinner at Ruth’s Chris, followed by a dreamy downtown carriage ride. That night wasn’t just unforgettable; it was the night their shared love for Ruth’s Chris carrot cake was born—and, perhaps, the night their hearts knew they had found something extraordinary.

2015 - 2017 – Making It Official

On October 3, 2015, at a friend’s wedding, Kyle introduced Victoria as his girlfriend. She played it cool, but inside, her heart was soaring. The very next day, on October 4, Kyle met Victoria’s family at her Grandpa G’s birthday party at Fricker’s. As they left the restaurant, heading to her grandfather’s house, they had “the talk.” No nerves, no hesitation—just the quiet certainty that they were meant to be. And just like that, they were officially a couple.

For the next two years, they embraced the challenges of a long-distance relationship, making the most of every visit, every call, every moment. Their weekends together were filled with intention, love, and the unshakable feeling that no matter the miles between them, they were always close.

2017 & 2018 – Love Across the Miles

In 2017, Kyle graduated from Sinclair and was presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: attending Trinidad State Junior College in Colorado for its prestigious NRA-recognized Gunsmithing program.

The distance between them stretched over a thousand miles, but their connection never faded. Late-night calls, FaceTime chats, and text messages filled the space between visits, each one a reminder that love isn’t measured by proximity but by persistence.

Holidays became homecomings. Every time Kyle returned, it was as if no time had passed—just long embraces, laughter that carried late into the night, and the quiet reassurance that what they had was worth every mile.

In the spring of 2018, Kyle found himself without a way back to Colorado after break, so they turned it into an adventure—a road trip across the country, just the two of them. They spent 36 whirlwind hours in Colorado, meeting Kyle’s college friends, indulging in Bella Luna’s pizza, and soaking in the sweeping views along Historic Route 12. At Monument Lake, they sat in the sun, catching crawdads and breathing in the kind of stillness that only comes with being far from everything.

Saying goodbye was never easy, but it had become part of their routine. Victoria hit the road, making it back to Indy just in time for work—another trip behind them, and many more ahead.

2019 – A New Chapter Begins

As Kyle’s graduation neared, Victoria embraced a new opportunity, moving to Cincinnati to advance her career. In May 2019, Kyle officially completed his program at TSJC, and Victoria joined his family on a celebratory road trip out west. Together, they explored Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Mesa Verde, Arches National Park, Four Corners Monument, the Grand Canyon, Winslow Arizona, and Cadillac Ranch—each stop marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

That summer, Kyle took a unique opportunity to work abroad on race cars alongside his now brother-in-law, Tom. When he finally returned, it wasn’t just for a visit—it was for good. They moved in together, sharing a home with their cat, Wesley, and laying the foundation for the life they had been building from afar.

2020 – A Year of Change

In 2020, life took an unexpected turn. Victoria lost her job, while Kyle continued working as an essential worker. With more time at home, they settled into a new rhythm—cooking meals from scratch, exploring East Fork State Park on weekends, and taking evening drives through the city just to enjoy the quiet moments.

After months of Victoria dreaming about a puppy, they finally brought home Lana in August. Victoria’s days quickly filled with training sessions and long walks, while weekends became all about trips to the dog park—always with Red Bulls in hand. Evenings often ended at Little Miami Brewing, sharing pizza and craft beers while Lana curled up at their feet.

As the year went on, Kyle started exploring new career opportunities, some of which would take them beyond Cincinnati. Leaving behind the familiar was a big step, but the idea of starting something new together felt like the right one.

2021 – New Job, New Home, New Life

An unexpected connection through Betty's friend led Kyle to a new opportunity in Richmond, Indiana, where he was offered a job on the spot at ITD. What followed were months of driving back and forth, searching for a home that would be the foundation for their next chapter. With the help of Derric, the best realtor, they finally found it: a charming home with a yard for Lana to run, space for Wesley to roam, and, most importantly, a place where they could begin their forever together.

2021 also marked a milestone for them—they traveled abroad together for the first time. On Victoria’s birthday, they boarded an international flight to London with Kyle’s family to join in the celebration of Kaelynn and Tom’s wedding. The timing was still during strict COVID restrictions, so their first week was spent quarantining at the beautiful Lynford Hall.

The next week though was filled with pints in London, exploring iconic sights like Platform 9 3/4, the Tower of London, the British Museum, the Harry Potter Studios, and C.S. Lewis' home, grave and frequented pub. They also discovered a hidden gem: Cyprus Mangal, which became their favorite place to eat. It was a trip filled with memories they would cherish forever.

2022 – Challenges and Strength

In 2022, Victoria found a new opportunity to work from home with BEST. However, life threw another curveball their way as Victoria began experiencing severe back pain. Kyle stood by her through countless doctors’ appointments as she fought for answers. Just as she was scheduled for a multilevel spinal fusion in November, Kyle received the unexpected news that he had been laid off. In retrospect, they both saw it as a blessing in disguise—Kyle was able to care for Victoria during her most vulnerable time, and together they navigated the challenges with resilience.

2023 – A New Look on Life

As Victoria continued to heal, she found a sense of peace in the steady rhythm of her work at BEST. Meanwhile, Kyle embarked on a new chapter in his career, stepping into the world of underground utilities. Together, they embraced the changes, growing individually and as a couple, their love only strengthening with each passing challenge and triumph.

That spring, they were given a wonderful opportunity to travel abroad—this time, to celebrate the christening of their niece, Charlotte. The trip was a perfect blend of family celebration and unforgettable adventures. They immersed themselves in the charm of England, exploring iconic sights like Colchester Castle, the HMS Belfast, Abbey Road, and 221B Baker Street—each stop etching a new memory into their hearts. And of course, no trip to England would be complete without one more unforgettable meal at Cyprus Mangal, a place that had become a beloved part of their story. This time, they made sure to share the experience with family, making it all the more special.

Back home, the remainder of the year was filled with simple pleasures and cherished moments. They reveled in the everyday joys, knowing these would be the memories they’d hold dear. They enjoyed tending to the garden, attending the NRA convention, and countless camping trips. They laughed their way through Turtle Racing and made memories at the Wilson family reunion in Tennessee. Charlotte’s first birthday was a highlight, as was the infamous 10 hour Monopoly game that became a family legend. They also hosted their first Thanksgiving, marking a milestone of their own. Kyle made another career move, and the year ended on a high note with the joyful arrival of their nephew Raymond.

2024 – Faith, Adventure, and the Road to Forever

Victoria's healing was complete physically, and she began a new journey in her faith. For years, she and Kyle had enjoyed church with their families, but they had never fully centered their lives or relationship around Christ. On Palm Sunday, Victoria took a significant step forward in her faith with baptism at iTown Church, with Kyle by her side and surrounded by their loved ones.

This year, much like the last, was defined by comfort in the small things—precious time spent with family, friends, and, of course, each other. They found a new joy in bike riding, something Kyle had always loved and Victoria could enjoy with minimal back pain. Little did Kyle know, this would soon become a passion for Victoria. What started as a few short miles quickly turned into a daily pursuit, with Victoria enthusiastically suggesting longer rides on the Cardinal Greenway. "Come on, babe, let's do 8 miles... 10 miles... 15 is just right there!" she would say. Soon, Kyle found himself signing up for 20-mile rides with her, their shared love for cycling becoming an unexpected yet beautiful part of their lives.

As the summer faded, their 9-year anniversary in October brought them back to their beloved tradition: camping. But this time, they made the rookie mistake of not booking a campsite in advance—especially in Brown County. What they had hoped would be a smooth camping trip turned into an adventure, full of tears and a fear of being turned away. After a search for campsites that felt like a scene from a thriller, Victoria found a spot just 30 minutes away. When they arrived, they were in awe of the beauty that awaited them. It was in that moment they knew—this was God’s plan all along. They spent the weekend riding bikes, building fires, stargazing, and reflecting on their future together.

Before picking up Lana and Wesley, Kyle made a surprise detour to Shane Co. where they looked at engagement rings for the first time. From that day forward, every special moment had everyone wondering if Kyle was about to get down on one knee. The moment would come, but not without another nudge from God—a sermon at iTown about new chapters. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, with their best friends by their side and a beautiful gold silicone ring in hand, Kyle asked Victoria if she was ready for the new chapter ahead. Then, with a heart full of love, he knelt down, and of course, she excitedly said yes. And that's how you find yourself here, reading their story on their wedding website.

And so, what started with a simple swipe right turned into the greatest love story of their lives—a journey of adventure, resilience, and a love that grows stronger with every passing day