Our Story
From high school sweethearts…
Kaitlyn and Alex met in high school and started dating during their senior year over 10 years ago (yep, it’s been a minute). They spent their early days playing tennis together, hanging out in downtown Detroit, and going to Red Wings and Tigers games. In May 2010, they went to prom together and graduated from Greenhills.
… to the University of Michigan…
Kaitlyn & Alex grew closer at the University of Michigan - and that’s not just because they lived across the hall from each other during their sophomore year. They shared countless experiences together at Michigan and attended tons of Wolverine sporting events too. In May 2014, they graduated together at Michigan Stadium.
… to long distance via I-94…
After graduating in 2014, Kaitlyn stayed in Ann Arbor to pursue her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Michigan. Alex moved to Chicago, IL to start his corporate career with Brunswick. Despite the two years of distance, Alex and Kaitlyn made sure to spend most weekends together, with Kaitlyn enduring the glacial pace of the Wolverine Amtrak route and Alex enduring the unpredictable traffic of I-94. When together, they spent time exploring Chicago’s culinary scene, continuing their trips to downtown Detroit, and spending time with friends and family in Ann Arbor.
… into The Valley of the Sun…
When Kaitlyn was nearing completion of her MPH, she received an offer from the CSTE Fellowship Program and accepted a role in Phoenix, AZ. Alex joined her in Arizona and shortly transported his career to The Valley. Despite the unbearable nature of Phoenix summers, Kaitlyn and Alex grew to call Arizona home. Pretty soon, they were both wearing pants and sweaters in 70-degree weather and claiming that 105 degrees wasn’t that bad.
… with countless adventures in the Southwest…
Alex and Kaitlyn made the most of their time in Phoenix. In 3 years, they explored every corner of the Southwest on weekend trips. They eventually started a family and adopted their adorable dog, Milo. In Phoenix, Alex and Kaitlyn became adults and, in the summer of 2019, got engaged at the Grand Canyon - their favorite place in Arizona. Alex was incredibly nervous the entire weekend and didn’t tell a soul before leaving for the Grand Canyon (except for Milo!). Right after sunset, he finally mustered up the courage and got down on one knee. That night, they treated themselves to a dinner at El Tovar - the fancy restaurant at the Grand Canyon.
… and up to the Pacific Northwest.
In 2019, it was Alex’s turn to pursue his Master’s degree and he did so by making the jump to the University of Washington in Seattle. The climate of Seattle was a drastic departure from the desert, but the move brought great career opportunities for both Alex and Kaitlyn, who joined Alex in the Pacific Northwest. On weekends, they still made time for exploration but traded in the desert for the forest, cacti for conifers, and boots for snowshoes. Now, more than 18 months into their stint in the Northwest, they’re excited to continue growing closer, get married, and establish roots!