Zach and Kalee originally met in December of 2019, when they connected on the dating app, Hinge. Zach asked Kalee out for drinks at Tribe, which was a trendy restaurant close to his apartment in the River Market. The two shared two (pitchers) of beer before hanging out at his apartment for a bit longer. The two shared one more date together a week or two later, before the holidays and Zach's busy (tax) season of work began and they lost touch.






Fast forward to March of 2020, when the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown orders started to fall into place. During this time the couple reconnected and started spending every weekend together in Zach's one-bedroom apartment in River Market. Many nights were spent trying new bottles of wine, cooking dinner, or picking up takeout. All the while watching every stand-up comedy special Netflix had to offer or getting on Zoom to chat with friends. This went on until June of 2020, when the world opened up a bit during the summer months, and again the couple decided to go their separate ways for the time being.




It wasn't until December 11th, 2020-- Zach's 29th birthday-- that the two would find each other again. The world was still partially shut down due to the pandemic, but it was still Zach’s birthday and the two decided to get dinner to celebrate the occasion. That one night turned into many more, and overnight the couple was inseparable. They spent a few brief days around Christmas separately, but immediately reconnected to spend New Years Eve together and travel to Manhattan. It was there that Zach contracted COVID, and the two chose to quarantine together in Zach's one-bedroom apartment in the River Market for the 10 required days. Kalee was remotely teaching and Zach's office was shut down, so they made due with a kitchen table, an old desk, and about 1,000 square feet of his apartment.




Living together for “just 10 days” turned in the biggest joke between these two! January turned into February without Kalee going back to her home, and eventually she did.... for about 4 days. From January to July, Zach and Kalee unofficially lived together and couldn't have been happier. It was in July of 2021 that Kalee chose to lease an apartment with a good friend, as the couple thought it would kind of crazy to “officially” move in together after only 6 months. Kalee and her roommate chose the same massive complex that Zach lived in, but they did not know until later that the unit they were assigned was not only in the same building-- but only 2 doors down from Zach!



Even with separate (but very close) apartments, the couple still spent every night together for the next year. It was one of the most exciting days in 2022 when the couple moved into their first official home together in Overland Park!



It was almost a year later, on a very warm night in July, that Zach and Kalee were sitting in chairs out on their front lawn. Kalee had made it known for months that she was anticipating an engagement soon, and she knew that Zach had purchased a ring. It was in between a couple glasses of wine, a cigar for Zach, and some of their favorite old country music songs that Zach slipped the ring box out of his pocket and asked Kalee to be his wife. It was only about 5 weeks afterwards that the couple got one of the biggest surprises in their life— they were now expecting their first child in April of 2024!

In the time that Kalee and Zach have been together they have traveled to Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Massachusetts, California, Minnesota, Nevada, and Rhode Island. They have been sunburnt in the Gulf of Mexico, eaten oysters in the Boston Harbor, and seen larger-than-life bulls in Tulsa. They have been fortunate enough to experience so much together, and cannot wait to experience so much more in married life with their son.

We are so very thankful for all of the friends and family that have shown their love and support for our relationship over the years, and are overjoyed to be celebrating our love with each of you this July!