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Tying the Knot #5

: Instant Friends to Lifetime Lovers

McKenzie + Kaitlyn

Perhaps we’ve all had that one friend we instantly clicked with. But how many of us can say that particular friendship turned into something more? Something so spectacular and sensational? Not very many, I’d assume! Our next couple from California is here to deliver their story on how they’ve found each other as soulmates and developed an unbreakable bond as lifetime lovers. 

"We finally realized what was right in front of our faces wasn’t just friendship."

Q. How did you guys first meet and fall in love?

A. We met freshman year in college in film history class and became instant friends. The more we spent time together the more we realized we were soulmates. Between working together, moving across the country and never getting sick of each other a few years in, we finally realized what was right in front of our faces wasn’t just friendship.

"As a queer couple, it was the first time that either of us could actually envision a life together with someone else."

Q. How did you know you wanted to marry each other & who wanted to tie the knot first?

A. It’s cheesy to say but we could never see our lives without one another in them. As a queer couple, it was the first time that either of us could actually envision a life together with someone else. Kaitlyn knew first, though we both knew for a long time.

"We were able to hand-select the stone that was going in her ring, which was super special."

Q. Why did you choose Hiddenspace, how did you hear about us, and what made you decide on this specific ring?

A. After months and months of searching, Kaitlyn happened upon Hiddenspace and knew in her soul that this was the place for McKenzie. We set up a weekend appointment with Jay, who was incredibly accommodating to meet us at a location on the weekend, to try on rings. With Jay, we custom-designed the ring with elements of the rings he brought and what our vision was. We were able to hand-select the stone that was going in her ring, which was super special. Mckenzie works with her hands a lot and wanted a low profile ring so we chose a rose-cut bezel-set hexagon salt and pepper diamond with three small diamonds on each side of the center stone on the band.

"We were both in happy tears during the proposal. [...] We are so excited to celebrate with our friends and family in our beautiful venue surrounded by trees and a lake."

Q. Tell us about the details of the proposal & the wedding. How did you feel? How did it go?

A. McKenzie proposed to Kaitlyn on our first vacation post COVID in Cabo, Mexico. We had checked in and had time to enjoy the hotel when McKenzie decided to take a walk on the beach where, to Kaitlyn’s surprise, a beautiful tent beach picnic was set up. It was perfect and actually managed to shock Kaitlyn and we were both in happy tears during the proposal. Kaitlyn proposed back to McKenzie in big bear California in December. The wedding is set for May of next year in Oregon. We are so excited to celebrate with our friends and family in our beautiful venue surrounded by trees and a lake.

"The sunset was absolutely breathtaking. [...] We just floated in the water until the sun finally set."

Q. Describe your romantic night or the most romantic day you guys have ever shared.

A. On our first vacation as a couple, we went to Aruba. The first night we got there, the sunset was absolutely breathtaking. We had decided to walk on the beach and swim in the ocean. The orange and pink sky just enveloped us while swimming in the warm ocean water. We just floated in the water until the sun finally set.

"Never go to bed angry."

Q. Any advice to future couples? Anything else you’d like to share with the world?

A. Kaitlyn: Communication is key, and never go to bed angry. McKenzie: Never take your loved ones for granted, and if you are thinking of doing something nice for your partner, don’t just think about it. Do it. The small acts are such a nice way to show each other you care/think of them.

Arranged by

Jamie Han

Credit

Kaitlyn @kaitlynmaejones

McKenzie @mckenziezuleger

Photographer @kortneycarmodyphotography