"It's pretty special when two people have known each other half of their lives," said Trip Kuehne (Will's dad) at our engagement party. Back in 2013, little did we know it was only the beginning of forever.
Will had just started attending Liberty Christian School, where he met Bailee. Quickly, we became close friends who always knew the right things to say to make each other laugh. In our freshman year Spanish class, our teacher made the mistake of sitting us next to each other. We talked so much (usually not in Spanish) that Bailee's maid of honor, Ellie Sieben, was asked to sit in between us to avoid all the chatter. Bailee and Ellie have been best friends (and roommates) ever since!
Although everyone thought the quarterback and dancer should date, we never did. Will shared with Bailee that he was moving to Oklahoma to pursue his dream of playing Division 1 football. Even in different states, when we talked... it felt as if no time had passed at all.
After high school, Will and Bailee both achieved their dreams - playing football and dancing at the Division 1 level (both in Texas, we might add!) Although she didn't admit it, Bailee loved having Will back in Texas. During the first few years of college, we went on a few dates and remained close friends. After the TCU vs. SMU football game their senior year, Will told Bailee how beautiful she looked on the opposing sideline. Nearing college graduation, Bailee invited Will to a TCU formal in Fort Worth, and the rest is history!
We can't wait to celebrate May 31 with all of you, and establish this date as our forever anniversary!
The Engagement
Will proposed to Bailee on May 25, 2024, at Vaquero Country Club in Westlake, Texas. It was perfect!
For months leading up to the proposal, Will had been trying to throw Bailee off about their engagement. "It's not happening anytime soon," he claimed. "I don't even have the ring yet." On the morning of May 25, 2024, Bailee woke up telling Will that she had a dream that he proposed. In true Kuehne fashion, Will remained calm, collected, and acted how he would any other day by saying: "B, I'm going to the gym."
In less than two hours, Bailee was supposed to be dressed to the nines for a group "wine tasting" at Vaquero. Instead of getting ready, she decided to tell her friends (who were "in town for Memorial Day Weekend") all about her proposal theory. After her friends convinced her that Will hadn't bought the ring yet, she decided to take a walk on the Katy Trail and talk her mom's ear off next. All of Bailee's family and friends were determined to pull off the biggest surprise to date - and boy, it was worth it!
Before the "wine tasting" began, Will reminded Bailee that Vaquero's golf course had recently finished renovations, and that he wanted to take her outside to see the event lawn on the course. A few steps out, Will stopped and turned to Bailee. "It's happening," he said. Bailee was so overcome with joy (and shock) that she didn't know what was happening. Once again, in true Kuehne fashion - Will proceeded to softball pitch her purse across the event lawn out of the way. Then, she knew! Will asked Bailee to be his forever person, and SHE SAID YES! Bailee melted down to her knees to be with Will and soak in every bit of the special moment.
The cherry on top to our perfect evening ended with a private dinner with all of our family and friends! It was a night filled with many unveiling stories, laughter, and love!