Kevin describes our story best, as one of resilience, patience and most importantly, fate. Our resilience making it in NYC where we eventually met, our patience in waiting for the perfect match and, finally, fate that close friends would connect us when we were both least expecting it.

Our story begins in November 2019 when a girl walked into a bar...

Caitlin and Kevin met unintentionally through their good friends Kristen (maid of honor) and Rob (wedding officiant) - it was not a setup! Both were invited out separately to meet their friends at The Flower Shop, a NYC speakeasy bar. Kevin arrived to meet the group first, excited to get out of the house. Caitlin was classically late, debating if she felt like leaving the house.

In Kevin's words - he will never forget that moment Caitlin walked into the bar and went down the stairs. Kevin, recently single, thought "wow, this girl is gorgeous." Life immediately felt a little brighter. Low and behold, Caitlin walked up to their group. Kevin had no idea anyone else was coming. Best surprise ever.

Although there was no agenda in mind on either end, both felt instant chemistry connecting as two fun, smart, enthusiastic people.

Caitlin was more than intrigued by Kevin - learning about his passion for music, special family background in agriculture and his career in startups. He was a breath of fresh air. (And they had fun banter as to whether she would make it to yoga the following day).

Because Caitlin was rarely going out these days, she wanted to take a photo of the girls (to post on instagram obviously). Rob took the picture but couldn't figure out how to air drop it to Caitlin. Kevin, the tech bro, watched and laughed as the two struggled to transfer the photo. Minutes go by and Kevin, the problem solver, gets impatient. He says "Rob this is stupid. Air drop me the photo." He then turns to Caitlin and says, "here I'll solve this problem. What's your number and I'll text you the photo."

Again, NO AGENDA in mind. Just solving a problem....although at some point later in the night, unknown to Caitlin, Kevin does ask Rob, "is she single?"

It gets late and we all part ways. Caitlin and Kevin now have each other's numbers - although unsaved and with no names attached.

Who text first?! (besides the random photo Kevin sent Caitlin of herself)?

Caitlin, of course. Kevin was beyond thankful. She learns later that Kevin is bad at communication but open to working on it.

In Kevin's words - he woke up the next morning thinking "wow, that girl Caity was amazing. I would love to see her again." But Kevin HATES texting and is self-proclaimed "terrible at it" so he was nervous. What do I do? Do I text? Is she even interested? How long do I wait?

Then BOOM. He received the best notification alert ever. Kevin gets a text from a 614 area code number not saved as a contact in his phone. He looks at the text and sees the only message is the photo he sent last night. It must be Caity.

Caitlin texted Kevin something like, "I didn't make it to yoga at noon but I'm going at 5pm hahaha." (Take that Kevin!!)

Kevin, no joke, started jumping for joy around his apartment. She text him!! (A decade in NYC will do that to a woman). But Kevin took it from there...

How was the first date?

A few weeks later Kevin took Caitlin to a cocktail bar, Up & Up. Despite the convenient bar location next to her West Village apartment, Caitlin arrived late, and claimed to not be able to read menus while proceeding to ask the mixologist to "make something like a vodka soda." (Ok, she gets overwhelmed with too many options).

After bar hopping in the West Village and a few good pickup lines from Kev: "I can play the piano, look how big my hands are and how big my wing span is" and both connecting over performing something Space Jam related in their 5th grade talent show, things seemed to be going well!

But Kevin had an exit strategy - he had to go home to his blind dog, Charlie. Woah, lol, ok that is a new one! She figured she wouldn't hear from him again.

However, Charlie is real, and blind, and Caitlin actually got to meet him on their third date when Kevin invited her over TO MAKE HER DINNER! This was a first for Caitlin in NYC dating history. He made his famous baked ziti - Caitlin was thrilled to eat a hearty meal for once.

Kevin and Caitlin's connection was flourishing. They were spending more and more time together, including weekends at Kevin's place in Brooklyn, named "the resort" by Caitlin because it was such a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, but also because the time she spent with Kevin was so special. It felt like vacation, with a built in chef (Kevin)!

Right as things were getting good, COVID hit NYC and Kevin and Caitlin parted ways indefinitely, so it seemed. Kevin spent time with Kristen in Johnny in Florida and Caitlin was rescued by Kristen and Rob headed to the Jersey Shore. These were tough times, I don't think anyone needs any elaboration!

Kevin made a point to meet up with Caitlin twice during the couple months separated. Once in Charlotte where both rented cars and drove 9 hours non-stop to be together for a week, and again in Nashville. Caitlin tried to be cool and confident over the course of the pandemic and with the distance, tuning into his DJ live streams with family and friends, but it was hard!

When both returned to NYC the Summer of 2020 they became inseparable. Maybe it was the distance and their passion for each other that drove them together, or maybe it was that there wasn't anyone else around to hang out with and no one could go anywhere - jk it was the passion!

Our Milestones:

October 24th, 2020 - Kevin asked Caitlin to be his girlfriend - go Kev! It's official.

March 2021 - we moved in together, and created our first home! Both knew they soon wanted to leave NYC, Caitlin convinced Kevin to move to the West Village because "you can't leave NYC without living in the West Village." And Kevin was smart enough to negotiate a 2 year lease at the height of COVID for an apartment they could not afford otherwise (2 bedrooms, doorman, laundry in the building - c'mon!!) - yes Kev! They signed this lease from the car heading to Vermont for the weekend with Kristen and Rob.

Our first home became known as "Club Dubz." We have so many fond memories of hosting our family and friends. It was truly the first time Caitlin ever felt like she had a home since living on her own.

November 2022 - Holiday Bar opened beneath our beloved apartment and ruined our quality of life for MONTHS. If you could be more crazy in NYC, this is it.

January 2023 - we became squatters! Kevin got a lawyer to deal with Holiday Bar and we lived rent free for 8 months (and ended up back paying it all but staying an extra year at our original lease price! - fight the good fight Kev!).

June 29th, 2023 - Kevin asked Caitlin to marry him. On this Thursday night in NYC, Kevin, Caitlin, Kristen and Rob went to dinner at a mutual favorite spot across the street from our apartment - Bar Pitti. NO ONE knew this was coming, except for Christy King who was given less than 24 hours notice because she would "want to tell her sisters". Caitlin especially had no clue since Kevin said it would never happen living in NYC.

Kevin set up the ring under a lite up astronaut helmet (naturally) and got down on one knee. After a few, "are you kidding me?" comments from Caitlin (she was in shock), she said yes! This is the first time Caitlin can recall actually seeing Kevin nervous.

March 2024 - we moved out of NYC to Florida - into the Mermaid Mansion at Kristen and Johnny's! We're beyond grateful for getting to spend several months with Kristen and Johnny.

July 2024 - we quit our jobs and became nomads!! (Ok, well Kevin still works, someone has to!)

October 2024 - Kevin took Caitlin on the trip of a lifetime, spending 40 days abroad in Europe including Paris, Croatia, Greece, Sicily and Lisbon.

We enjoyed life as nomads and can't thank our friends and family enough for putting up with us, watching Charlie, letting Caitlin do lots of laundry, and being such a support while we figure out our new and future life! We are especially grateful to Kristen, Johnny, Betty, Bruce and Sarina and Austin.

February 2025 - we became Florida residents again! We are in the process of building our second ever home together - this time a house - 1.5 miles from Caitlin's Aunt Debbie in Dunedin, FL.

We call it a story of fate! Before even meeting Kevin, Caitlin's sister Carly said she knew he was the one: "Caitlin Phillips sounds right.”

We are beyond grateful for our love, and the love of our family and friends. Thank you for celebrating with us!!