In the Spring of 2013, Kirk was pursuing an industrial design degree at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. As part of his minor in sustainability he was required to complete a course in environmental history and ethics. Alyson, a junior pursuing environmental science, had that same academic requirement. Their crossed paths proved fortuitous as nine years, four states, three cats, one dingo and a first home later these two are still going strong. Though they legally bound their union in 2019, they are thrilled to celebrate their marriage and love with the people most important to them.