Katie and I first crossed paths during our first year at Loyola University Chicago, on the first day of classes, when everything felt new and full of possibility. I arrived before Katie and sat down at my desk. After a few minutes, this beautiful girl walked in. Katie’s red lipstick caught my eye from across the room, and I couldn’t help but hope she would sit in the empty desk next to me. Luckily, she did! I finally built up enough courage to speak to her when I saw her drawing of the frog plague in Egypt (from the Bible) … yes it was religion class. Anyone who knows Katie knows she is a highly talented artist. I said to her, “I like your frogs!” After she thanked me, I proceeded to try to impress her with my art from high school (the one art class I took haha). After a few minutes of saying my work was great, she pulled out some of her work, and let’s say Katie put me to shame with her beautiful drawings and paintings. From that moment on, I knew I had to learn more about this Beautiful Artist Girl. We quickly became class friends, and one day, Katie asked me if I wanted to go enjoy the day out on the grass quad after class together. We shared many laughs and stories, and I finally built the courage to ask for her number. One memorable night we danced the night away at Loyola’s formal, The President’s Ball, where I found out Katie can get anyone to dance.

Soon after, as the first semester was coming to an end, I was an idiot and thought that I wasn’t quite ready for a relationship (I know, dumb, right?), and I guess you could say I played it safe and “friend zoned” her—although, looking back, it’s clear I was missing out on something amazing and was a complete idiot!


The following year, Katie transferred to Hope College in Michigan. I would try to reach out from time to time, missing the “Pretty Artist Girl” from religion class, but Katie, rightfully so… ghosted me.

I thought all was lost, but fate had other plans... and so did Katie! Right before COVID-19 hit, Katie reached out and forgave me, and we started to talk again. In early 2020, Katie asked me a question that changed everything: “Once social distancing ends, maybe you should take me out 👀.” And I’m so glad we didn’t wait because from that moment on, I fell completely in love with her kind spirit, incredible generosity, and how she makes everyone around her feel seen and valued.

Katie’s outlook on life, her unwavering positivity, and her ability to find joy in the smallest moments are just a few of the things that make me love her more each day. After reuniting, we did “the long-distance thing.” During this time, we met each other’s families, and it was clear from the start that both of our sets of parents loved the person we had chosen to be with. Jamie and Mike made me feel like a part of the family the second I visited their house. Jamie often remarks, “I remember you in college, and even though you broke my daughter’s heart then, I knew you weren’t done being in Katie’s life.”

My parents, Dan and Marguerite, fell in love with Katie like I did. Seeing her passion for people and her artistic eye, they saw she was a perfect fit. My mom regularly comments that Katie reminds her of her late mother, Mary Agnus, and I cannot begin to explain how much that means to my family and myself.

After what felt like ages and many, many week/weekend stays at the Boler’s, Katie and I moved to Glenview, IL, where our bond grew even stronger. In Glenview, Katie and I learned that by living a life together, we help each other grow. Many times in our year in Glenview, I would pick Katie up from work, and we would go driving around and even stop and see the Home Alone house (we are very proud of the fact that we only lived a short 10 minutes from where they filmed the best Christmas movie).

Our next adventure took us to Kentucky, where we took on the challenge of running a bakery with my family. And that is where our story is currently. Katie has found a niche in decorating and running our marketing at the bakery. We are over the moon that we get to spend each day together. Much like my father’s beloved Hallmark movies, we live a very story-like life. Along the way, we’ve learned, grown, and built a life full of love, laughter, and endless support for each other.

We can’t wait to continue writing our story together—thank you for being part of it!