Narrated by Kyle.

August 2014

Meghan, who grew up in the city, and Kyle, who definitely did not grow up in the city, knew each other from age group swimming. The two never talked, as their club teams were cross town rivals amongst local YMCA's. However, rivals became teammates at the University of Iowa. In attempts to stick to her guns, Meghan tried to avoid Kyle at all costs. This became difficult for Meghan as they swam in the same group, and only had 3 lanes to choose from.

December 2014 - June 2016

It was a cold December day in Iowa City, probably grey because it's the midwest, and day two of Hawkeye Invite. Meghan is a superstar, but even the best have bad days. She had a panic attack and Kyle reached out to console her afterwards. You can compare this moment to magnets; going from polar opposites to directly towards each other.

They instantly became great friends. It might have been how he always found a way to sit next to Meghan; for his personal gain we're not sure, but she admits that he might've calmed her nerves. Fair to say, he turned out to be pretty good at that too. If you get to know him, you might could agree.

July 2016

If Meghan was Batman, Kyle was Robin when they competed at Olympic trials together. Meghan, the backstroker, got her two cuts on two separate occasions where she may or may not remember the night before. And Kyle, the butterflyer, used all of his lucky stars and a little charm, to scrap together one cut. This served as their unofficial anniversary of when they started dating.

This was discovered in realtime by Meghan's family, as they were stuck in traffic in a rental car (unrecognizable to Meghan)... and saw Meghan walk down the street in the opposite direction holding Kyle's hand. A starstruck Meghan did not see this coming. In case you were worried if the Lavelle family would proceed to roll down all windows and yell from the car to make sure that she ultimately knew it was their car, you do not have to hold your breath. That's exactly how it was executed.

March 2017

After less than a year of dating, with Kyle graduating college, Meghan a rising senior, they decided to shop craigslist for chocolate labs...ENTER Duncan, their most prized piece of chocolate. They didn't tell their parents until a few weeks had passed, but it was love at first sight for them too. Aah what a prince! (best decision ever to date)

May 2017 & May 2018

Kyle graduates.

Meghan graduates.

Sept 2018 - July 2020

Kyle chooses to pursue college swim coaching and begins a new position, where the two officially moved in together in Auburn Hills, MI.

July 2020 - May 2021

The two followed Kyle's work and moved to Columbus, OH during COVID.

May 2021- May 2022

Moved to Columbia, SC for Kyle's coaching career, followed by an unexpected move to Champaign, IL! Our families were very happy to say the least. Unexpected, but all the more exciting and rewarding for the two. Kyle now coaches at University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, and Meghan works for a marketing and graphic design company in Champaign.

July 2022

Bought their first house together in Champaign, IL. Homeownership is a real treat, they absolutely love everything it entails...

October 8, 2022 - The Proposal

Kyle plans a Patnode family tailgate for the Iowa vs. Illinois football game. Meghan, blissfully unaware of everything else to come. The tailgate itself was not a secret, however, Kyle did surprise Meghan later when her family showed up with Duncan! Her chocolate prince had a ring tied to his collar, and an eligible bachelor on his knee trying to wrangle it off of him in all of his excitement about a random frisbee. Bringing their past in Iowa, to their present in Illinois, to their hopeful future with that ROCK on Meghan's hand. (New best decision ever to date)

June 1, 2023

Another day, another craigslist ad for an eight-week-old puppy. Kyle and Meghan added a second dog to the family. Coming to an arena near you soon... MILLER MANIA!!! Our goofy meatball Miller!

June 22, 2024

Kyle and Meghan celebrate their love, and all the love they are surrounded by. They've hosted parties, events, house crawls... but this one is going to be their best one yet. They need you (and a little more cowbell) to get your dancin' shoes on and your party going!