The first date was rescheduled more times than they’d like to admit. Winter dating in Michigan is not for the weak, but he never gave up!

Finally, the two decided to stop postponing (Or Kate finally stopped rescheduling, whatever) — even with a massive snowstorm on the way.

He planned to meet for tea, unfortunately, the tea shop was closed due to the storm. So instead, they walked.

Cheap date!

Up North Monroe, across the Sixth Street Bridge, as snow fell endlessly around them. The city looked like a snow globe — glittering and quiet and kind of magical.

They talked and laughed for hours, completely ignoring the cold and the fact that they probably couldn’t feel their toes.

The chemistry was immediate. They've been together ever since.

That winter, they fell in love during the coldest months of the year — sneaking away from work for cafeteria coffee and quick lunches whenever they could.

A few months in, Kate accidentally told Ryan that she loved him. It slipped out at the end of a phone call — like when you accidentally say it to your dentist or after ordering take out. Super romantic, right?

Except she absolutely meant it. Oops! Fell in love with you!

That fellowship turned into another fellowship and their suitcases and boxes turned into shared spaces ( but never a shared closet — let’s not be unreasonable).

They moved to Detroit, built a new life together, and learned that home is less about geography and more about who you’re standing next to. & where the dog is!

Ryan proposed on Belle Isle — perfectly positioned between his home in Ontario and hers in Michigan — which felt like the most fitting place to promise forever.

Now the two have landed in Petoskey, where they will gather their favorite people and start this next chapter officially.

What started with a snowstorm and a dating app somehow turned into forever. Thanks Hinge!