The Beginning

(Nick’s POV)

Four years ago, rumors started swirling among the San Francisco friends that a cute girl from San Diego was moving up to live with Madison Dutra. Kendall Switzer Kaestner arrived on the scene, and it only took an Instagram reply, a match on Hinge, and an epic Fleet Week rooftop meetup to set up the first date. We found out we both love to explore the world, try new things, celebrate life, spend time with family, and eat great food.

A few months into dating, it was time for me to meet the parents - things were getting serious! I was beyond nervous showing up at Ken’s apartment, but all nerves were subdued (even though the picture below shows otherwise) when Reed cracked a few dad jokes and Joan gave me a warm hug on arrival. The following spring, Kendall met my brothers during a St. Paddy's weekend trip to Chicago - she not only survived the cold but also the brotherly debates over who was the better athlete. Not long after, she met my parents during a visit to Fox Island, and they instantly bonded. It was safe to say that both families approved!

The early days falling in love at a Bridgerton-themed party

and Outside Lands Music Festival of course!

The big parent meet up...Nick passed with flying colors :)

Nick made it to the Kaestner's "second home" Cabo (RIP to the mustache)

Skiing ability test (Ken passed with flying colors)

The Middle

(Ken’s POV)

When we moved into our first apartment, it was so clear how well Nick and I balanced each other. He would be calculating the optimal TV viewing angle (the engineer in him really loving this task!) while I would be figuring out what ‘feeling’ our interior design style should evoke. It was always like this for us - yin & yang, salty & sweet - perfect complements to each other.

Now roommates, we knew the next step in our relationship was “The big parent meet-up” as we called it. We each coached our parents before the trip … “remember, no politics! No embarrassing stories!” But when they finally met over a salmon dinner (freshly caught by Nick’s dad, Bret) it was like watching old friends catch-up. The dads bonding over fishing and the moms bonding over their children. A new family was forming :)

It definitely didn't suck that Nick was from the most beautiful place in the world, Fox Island Washington :)

Boathouse 19 brews & Washington sunshine for the big parent meet up

N&K move into their first apartment! Nick goes into full engineer mode while ken stresses about which throw pillows to buy

Nick's mom Kathy finally gets another girl to join Gagliardi family trips :)

Noni turns 90 and the Gagliardi fam celebrates accordingly!

Ken turns 30 and is still annoyed that nick is a year younger

Ken does a solo mission to pick up Butter!!!!!!

Ken thought they were getting engaged this weekend in Carmel (lol turns out you can't plan your own engagement)

Forever

Against all odds (including a week-long rainstorm) Nick planned and pulled off a surprise proposal beyond words. Surrounded by family & friends (and Butter the puppy squished in the middle) we celebrated the start of the rest of our lives together.

Engaged happy humans! The rain clouds parted right in time for Nick to get down on one knee

Butter was front and center the whole day

Little did Ken know, Nick had given their friends & family this very detailed map to meet them at the proposal site! No one was going to get lost on Nick's watch lol

Closest friends & family flew in to help celebrate