We met on July 20, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand. Kyle decided to take a mission year while at Walla Walla University in Washington. He originally planned to go to Costa Rica, but through a series of events, he ended up going to Thailand. I was at Southern Adventist University in Tennessee and had also decided to take a mission year. I had opted for either Thailand, Cambodia, or Mongolia, but Thailand ended up choosing me.

There were only four student missionaries where we were placed in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, so Kyle and I had lots of time to get acquainted. We bought our groceries together, rode to school together, and even rode as a mini bicycle gang together through the streets of the city. Towards the end of our mission year, Kyle confessed that he liked me. I, however, was fully convinced that this was a matter of slim pickings and that he would soon get over me after returning to the states. We said goodbye at the end of year in July of 2014, fully convinced that we would likely not see each other again.

Kyle and I continued to stay in contact as friends and supported each other through the reverse culture shock process of going back to school. He impressed me with his constant friendship and support, never once making me feel pressured. What changed things for me was a roll of toilet paper. He sent me a care package while I was at Southern that consisted of items he knew I would love. He included an ultra soft roll of toilet paper because, in his words, "we both know how valuable it is" - an item that is still as valuable today! In Thailand, we learned to quickly adjust to water hoses and a consistent lack of TP! After seeing that care package, I knew Kyle was different. He was a complete gentleman with a kind, loving heart who knew me. He confessed that he still liked me, fortunately proving my slim pickings theory wrong. We started talking with the intention of getting to know each other for dating, and on December 19, 2015, we officially started dating. On December 20, 2020, we will be married after being together for five years. We can't wait to celebrate the culmination of our love story with you!