It was a hot Monday night in May of '25. Lily and Kooper were both going to play pickleball with friends, and one of Kooper's friends called up one of Lily's friends, looking for a court that wasn't too busy. Thus, they ended up one court away from each other for a few hours.

After Kooper accepted Lily's friends' invitation to a movie after pickleball, a connection was formed. Lily nudged Kooper to sit by her for the film, they chatted (and Kooper flirted) throughout the time, and he ended up with Lily's phone number after pitching Discovery church's young adults group, claiming he'd follow up about the next meeting.

He did "follow up" the very next day, but not about young adults group- after some chatting, he worked his way to asking her out. The day after their first date, Kooper braved a night with practically all of Lily's friends, including meeting her parents. She could see he was eager and really wanted to pursue her, and she found him super cute and fun to be with. He could see her authenticity and love for the Lord.

Christ put them in the right place at the right time, and He has sustained their relationship since they met! They celebrated a year together in June of '26, and that month Kooper bought Lily her ring and proposed a month later during a photo shoot in the Fox Theater.