Our relationship has been a blend of adventure and growth. After meeting thanks to a mutual friend (and some digital assistance), Kendal moved to D.C. for work a year into our relationship as we figured out how to make things work from afar. Exploring two cities together was fun, but tough, so Kendal found a way back to Philadelphia. After a summer of challenge and growth, we rekindled and have been loving life together ever since. Currently, Kyle is a Sixers reporter for PhillyVoice, while Kendal works in the Cardiac ICU at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Kendal is starting her doctorate in nurse anesthesia after the wedding. Our third roommate in the Passyunk home we share together is a handsome and goofy English Bulldog named Louie. We love exploring local restaurants, weekend trips to visit our loved ones along the East Coast, happy hours on our roofdeck, playing tennis (Kendal’s in pursuit of her first win), and watching Jeopardy together.

A trip together was long overdue, though our trip to Spain came together on pretty short notice. In the midst of packing and running through our itinerary, Kyle said there was no way all his things could fit in a carry on. Kendal took it as a personal challenge and packed his bag, clueless to the special addition Kyle was bringing along, hidden in a sock. Once in Barcelona, we managed to get our hands on cappuccinos and bocadillos before ending up at the Pablo Picasso Museum. Knowing she wanted an ultra private moment, Kyle got down on one knee in a secluded gallery of Picasso’s paintings to ask Kendal to spend a lifetime together. Out of complete surprise, first she said, “what are you doing?” and then, she exclaimed “yes!” just moments before security reprimanded Kyle for taking his mask off. With ten days to celebrate our future together on a whirlwind trip across the country, we…. • made it to a Barcelona Futból game • scored last minute dining availability at the renowned Arzak in San Sebastián. Chef Arzak was a mentor to one of our faves, the late Anthony Bourdain • drank street beers in the rain with a friendly group of Brits in Basque Country • completed a wine tour of the Rioja region, where Kendal insisted on buying 6 bottles of wine to bring home in her carry on sized suitcase • toured numerous stunning gothic cathedrals • watched a Flamenco performance in Sevilla • explored the awe-inspiring Moorish palace, Alhambra, in Granada • ate twice our combined weight in jamon and chorizo