These two met in October 2019 by chance. Kate wanted to join her friends at the Beta Barnyard date party but had no date. Thankfully, Tess Pereira was able to source Jon, Kate's blind date and a ticket to the party.

When Jon turned the corner, Kate was blown away by how handsome and tall he was. Jon liked her witty humor and dance moves. After a long night in Lawrence, Kate will always remember how easy the conversation came. Jon recalls nearly skipping the event altogether to study. What was supposed to be another Saturday in Lawrence would change their lives forever!

After a few months of date parties and seeing each other around Lawrence, the novel Coronavirus took the spark out of Lawrence, sending Jon and Kate back home to Kansas City and causing them to lose touch.

Jon eventually graduated from KU and packed his bags to move to Washington DC. Kate returned to Lawrence in the fall and quickly turned around and came home after contracting Coronavirus. You would be surprised how quickly it spread across a house of 10 girls!

Jon called Kate to catch up while she was in quarantine. From then on, the two talked on the phone frequently, eventually making plans to see each other when Jon returned to Kansas City for Thanksgiving.

The two met up at Loose Park. Kate remembers jumping into Jon's arms and giving him a kiss. Jon remembers praying she didn't have COVID-19. The pair started dating on December 23, 2020, a little over a year after becoming friends.

Taking barely any time at all, Kate hopped on a flight to Washington, DC, to celebrate the New Year with her new man. DC was still pretty desolate due to COVID-19, so the pair spent lots of time in friends' apartments, making new recipes and walking all over the city.

DC trips were commonplace. Jon had made some great friends and proved to be a great host. Jon and Kate celebrated birthdays, holidays and low-key weekends in Columbia Heights and all over the city.

Jon made his way back to Lawrence for Kate's graduation. She spent 10 days in DC before coming back home and starting work. A few months later, Jon was transferred to Kansas City to work at the MCI Airport, bringing the two back to the same town and connected at the hip ever since.

K&J

Wedding Ceremony

Reception