The Story of us

Kyle met Kelly at Duke University in 2005 during their freshmen year. Both were enrolled in the same genomics classes, and had moved into the same dormitory. Kelly, hailing from New Mexico (the Land of Enchantment) was taken by the trees and forests of Carolina. Kyle, who was more accustomed to greenery, drove down the I-85 from Virginia to reach Durham. 

Kyle, who had just shed his high school braces and was burgeoning with newfound confidence, asked Kelly to go on a lunch date. To Chick Fil-A. Kelly, who at the time was not aware this counted as a date and would not recognize the importance of the moment until years later, obliged. Kyle showcased his eating prowess by downing two chicken sandwiches and eight nuggets, and impressed Kelly by discussing the finer points of distinguishing the Polynesian sauce from the Chick Fil-A sauce. It was love at first bite. 

At Duke, Kelly and Kyle lived in the same dorm for all four years and were generally inseparable. The two enrolled in many of the same classes, studied together, watched Top Chef and Gossip Girl together, and camped out for 3 months out of the year to attend the Duke-UNC game, together. 

After dating all through college, the two came up with the wholly unique idea of moving to California. Kelly, to pursue her PhD in molecular biology at UC-Berkeley, and Kyle to get his law degree at USC. 

The two spent three years dating long distance. Kyle often drove up from LA to Berkeley on a lonely, cattle-riddled stretch of highway through the Central Valley to see his love. While the years apart were difficult, the two rejoiced when Kyle graduated and got a job in the Bay Area. To celebrate they attended the London Summer Olympics, a dream trip for both.

Kelly and Kyle moved into a very reasonably priced apartment in downtown San Francisco, and lived in SF for the next three years. The two loved exploring the city, trying new and classic restaurants, going to Giants and Warriors games, and taking weekend trips to wine country. However, they did not love the fog or the traffic, and began looking for a new place to call home.

Once Kelly graduated, she got a completely real (and not made-up) job as a beer scientist at Ballast Point Brewing in sunny San Diego. Kyle, who had always wanted to live in San Diego, promptly quit his law firm job and the two absconded to live by the beach. With so many outdoor patios and parks in the area it was finally time for a dog, too. One sunny fall weekend, they drove up to rescue a cocker spnaiel-shih tzu mutt, from the tough streets of Santa Monica. They named her Mia Hamm, and increased their family by one member. 

After 8 months in San Diego (and only 10 years of dating), Kyle proposed to Kelly overlooking the water in La Jolla Cove. They have just purchased their first home together in the North Park area of San Diego, and will be married on August 19, 2017 with their friends and family.