Simple - Ethan and Kylie met as eighth graders in middle school. However, they did not date until they were 19 years old!

As 19 year olds, Kylie was attending UCLA, and Ethan was at Illinois State University. After taking trips back and forth, Ethan and Kylie were both sent home (due to the pandemic) for the rest of sophomore year and all of junior year. How lucky! Kylie graduated in December of senior year and began nursing school at Loyola in January. The two were finally back in the same state during Ethan's last semester.

After Ethan graduated from Illinois State (May of 2022), they were hit with news that shook up life as they knew it. Kylie was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Ethan was at the hospital day in and day out, still able to make her laugh! Fortunately, the brain surgery went perfectly.

Pictured above, they celebrated with friends Kim & Nina, and cousin Mia, when Kylie was one year tumor free :)

June 3, 2023 - About a week before moving into their apartment together.

Ethan planned a "surprise" picnic for Kylie. He told her to wear a nice dress and made sure her nails were done, both deserving a huge thanks to her cousin - and now Maid of Honor - Mia! He brought Kylie to the Morton Arboretum. Looking for a spot to sit, Ethan distracted Kylie with fish in the pond. They approached the proposal spot, and Ethan's knee dropped. He asked Kylie to marry him, and she answered with an immediate yes followed by about 15 head nods. (Credits to Alex and Evan for putting together the perfect proposal set-up here!)

Shortly thereafter, their families joined together for a celebration dinner!

About a week after the engagement, Ethan and Kylie moved into their first apartment together!

Ethan and Kylie are now in wedding planning mode! Ethan is working in the Insurance industry, and Kylie is a mother baby nurse. The two are excited in anticipation of house hunting in the near future!