We eloped!

They had a common problem: they wanted friends. Highly introverted but personable, Lou had moved to Salt Lake City and sought friends to make a home, and Kenzie—a shy extrovert born and raised there—was hopeful for friends with whom she could re-discover being a single adult. They each had pretty extreme thoughts about love after their divorces: he had resolved to live a life free of permanent romantic entanglements, and she was nursing a wounded heart that lacked even self love. Both turned to Bumble BFF, an extension of the popular dating app meant to form platonic friendships. Lou swiped right on Kenzie, only to find that she had swiped right on him first. If we’re losing any of our tech-averse loved ones: swiping left on someone’s photo means you didn’t like them, but swiping RIGHT—well, that means you liked what you saw. Over a meal of—no lie, Gulf Coast fam—discount sushi, it became apparent that the two had more in common than expected. Spending a majority of their time at a local coffee shop drinking way too much tea (chai for Lou and matcha for Kenzie), they laughed harder than they had in a long time and began to experience emotional freedom and, with it, real joy. Their friendship used this to grow even deeper. Determined to help, Lou began sharing his experience with therapy, trauma, and hard life lessons to impress upon her that she was seen, deserving, and worthy—no matter what. It was during this stage—helping Kenzie crawl out from the box she had built—that he thinks his feelings started to become romantic. She began to truly become herself—someone she may not have known, but who was slowly shining through. A 3-week trip back home to gather his things ended up being bittersweet for them both: he was officially moving to SLC but gone for almost a month, during which they spoke non-stop, trading “I miss you’s” and “wish you were here’s” daily. Two months passed after his return, while Lou persistently encouraged Kenzie to consider dating to explore more about what and who she liked and to learn to demand the treatment she deserved. She was nervous, and he was torn: he genuinely wanted her to experience these things but couldn't ignore a voice that kept telling him that he would treat her best, appreciate her the most. She never made it on any dates—Lou’s very stupid “no dating” rule all but crumbled at Kenzie’s feet about 5 months after they met. He’d spent 2 months since his move resisting his feelings, scared to take that step. It turned out that his resistance had been hiding what was really happening: he’d been quietly falling in love with her and, thank god, her with him. She continued to make Lou laugh and shower him with euphoria-inducing affection; and he showed her what it was like to have someone simultaneously worship at her feet but challenge her to learn and grow. Unbeknownst to Kenzie, he had a secret: a ring. He sat on it for months, pondering the perfect time. October came, and a Halloween ball presented itself—the perfect moment! Or… not. Sweet Kenzie ended up not feeling well and, about a minute before Lou almost got on one knee, she asked to go home. Adrenaline racing through his veins, Lou ushered her out, totally gutted and faced with planning his next chance. It turned out to be the day after Thanksgiving, at a park with a gorgeous waterfall view. Lou had lots of very small notes in his pocket that read: “I’m about to propose. Can you take a photo?” Feeling prepared, he decided he’d just do it when it felt right. He knew it was time when he saw the waterfall, then spotted a friendly stranger on the trail and slipped him a note and walked away. Lou saw the stranger walk a few steps, open the note, smile, and tell his friends what it said before walking back. And that was it. The stranger’s phone rising as his cue, Lou got down on one knee and proposed. And do you know what Kenzie said? No, not “yes.” She said, “Where did you get that?” Then, “For how long?” And then, FINALLY, “Yes!”