{The Story}
“My name is Kayla, and my fiancรฉ, Thomas, and I are a Tinder success story. We matched on Tinder in September of 2013 at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. After a couple of weeks of messaging on the app, we arranged our first date for October 3, 2013 at Bento Japanese Steakhouse. I knew Thomas was a gentleman from our first date. He showed up at my front step, opened every door for me, and wouldn’t kiss me until our 3rd date. Thomas was the only guy from Tinder I went on a date with, and we have been inseparable ever since. When we graduated in May of 2014, we moved 3 1/2 hours away from each other, due to our job offers and opportunities. We still managed to see each other every week for 14 months. In August 2015, we moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi together when Thomas was accepted to a Masters program, and my job allowed me to relocate. We adopted two fur babies, Evanca and Cinder Cato, and I am finally becoming a Cato too! Three years and two months from our first date- December 3, 2016- Thomas proposed to me in Cincinnati, Ohio. He found a beautiful spot at a park overlooking the city, and he hired a photographer to capture our special moment. We set a date for October 7, 2017! Thomas is the love of my life. Never in a million years would I have thought I would meet my future husband on a dating app. I can’t wait to share our story with our children one day. We owe it all to Tinder!”
Isn’t this one of the sweetest stories, ever!?
Kayla and Thomas booked me a few months ago after a surprise visit to the Mississippi Coast. Kayla had writtenย me an email on Thursday morning, and by Thursday afternoon we had set a day and time for them to stop by the office to chat about their October wedding.
They wereย coming in town for a surprise trip to Mary Mahoney’s for Thomas’ birthday. Funny thing is, when I told Kayla where my office was, I specifically mentioned that itย was behind the Mary Mahoney’s walkway. ย So into the office they came! We talked wedding plans, looked at albums, discussed ceremony details, and all that goes with it. I liked them from the start so I’m so excited they chose KSP for their wedding!
For the engagement session, Kayla wanted The University of Alabama.
Being an Alabama fan, I was totally for this idea! ๐ Thomas and Kayla actually met while attending Alabama!
{The Story | Part Two}
How We Met from Thomas
“During the Fall of my senior year, I was on Tinder and came across a beautiful girl named Kayla with long brown hair and a beautiful smile. After swiping right (and praying that she would too), we matched! Immediately, we started talking about anything and everything, and I could tell right away that she was something special. Once we had been talking for a week or so, I built up the courage to ask Kayla on a date. I had everything planned out. I would pick her up at her apartment and take her to get hibachi (girls love hibachi). Naturally, I tried to play it cool all week leading up to our first date. I tried not texting her too much to try to hide my excitement, but I accidentally led her to believe that I was going to stand her up. Anyway, I was there right on time, maybe even five minutes early. I still remember the first time I saw her. She was wearing a pretty green shirt and a sunflower necklace. Once we got to dinner, everything went perfectly. We ordered food and had good conversation, but if anyone knows Kayla, they know she does not eat any vegetables. What I assume was an attempt to try to impress me, she stirred all of her vegetables around on her plate to make it appear as she had eaten some. We hit it off immediately. We hung out almost every day the next week! I know this might sound lame or I might lose some points on my man card for this, but I liked Kayla so much that I decided to wait until the third date to try to kiss her. I know, I know… But I didn’t want to do anything to scare her off or mess up our young relationship. People say, “When you know, you know” or “Love at first sight (or swipe),” and I can definitely say it did not take long to know how I felt about Kayla or to know that I wanted my future to be spent with her by my side. I had thought about my feelings for her so much, that I embarrassingly mumbled “I love you” to her as she dropped me off at the library. Once I realized what I had done, I jumped out of the car and headed to the library without looking back. I actually played it off so well that Kayla didn’t know if I had said those words or if she had just imagined it! Keep in mind we had only been dating for a few weeks at that time, but it did not take much longer for us to have that conversation. From then until now, we still do everything together, and I plan to keep doing so for the rest of my life. On October 7th, 2017, I get to marry my best friend, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her!”
The Proposal from Kayla
ย “For the past 8 months, we had been planning a trip to Cincinnati, Ohio to visit two of our best friends who recently moved up there. Finally, the weekend came. After a 10 hour car ride, we arrived in Ohio. Little did I know, Thomas had planned our entire engagement, including purchasing a ring, in the 5 days leading up to our trip. On Saturday morning, December 3rd, my best friend, and Matron of Honor, Amelia told me that she wanted to take me to a park overlooking the city and show me where she wanted to have some of her wedding photos made. She thought of every last detail, from my outfit, to my nails, to explaining why her fiance and my boyfriend would not be coming with us. We arrived at this beautiful park in Covington, Kentucky, overlooking the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline. As we walked down to check out the view, I snap-chatted a picture to my soon-to-be fiance. When I looked up, he was standing in front of me, with a big smile, waving me over. One short walk, a pounding heart, and two shaking knees later, Thomas was down on one knee asking me to marry him. I was speechless. My response was a kiss and a “YES!” Then, he surprised me with “Now, we have a photo shoot! Say hello to our photographers!” and here comes an excited couple with their cameras, running down the hill to capture our first moments as an engaged couple. It was, hands down, the best day of my life, thus far. Everything was absolutely perfect, and I am still in disbelief that I am the lucky woman who gets to marry this wonderful man.”
After rescheduling the location for their engagement session to Hattiesburg, we came for round two in Tuscaloosa! ย No rain this time! I ran into a few sprinkles on the outskirts of town, but that was all! Yay!!! If at first you don’t succeed, try again! Worked for us! ๐
We had a great time at the University of Alabama. I hope you love the peek! <3
Be sure to leave Thomas and Kayla a comment! 20 comments and they receive a free gift from KSP!
Aren’t Cinder and Evanca the sweetest!?
When at the University, a photo with the Coach “Bear” Bryant statue is a MUST.
We couldn’t leave out Coach Nick Saban!
I could have photographed at this location all day!
Thanks Kayce! Everything looks amazing!
Thank you, Thomas! Can’t wait for the wedding!
Thanks for everything, Kayce!! Your kindness means so much to us and your work is beautiful!! We are so excited to work with you during this special time in our lives!
Love these gorgeous engagement pictures in ttown!
Gorgeous pics!! Love the Catos!
I love these engagements photos sooooo much! One of my favorite couples ๐ can’t wait for the wedding!!
I remember when Thomas had his first date with Kayla. I was living with him. I remember he told me he had a date with someone on Tinder. He also told me she was in my sorority. I had no idea who she was, so of course I Facebook stalked her (sororities are so big at Alabama). I saw how pretty she was on Facebook and knew my brother found a keeper. Turns out everything went as planned, and the date turned out really well! I remember Thomas telling me about the first date. How he was nervous and hope she didn’t notice. Apparently, she had a great time! She started coming over and before I knew it they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Over time I have got to know Kayla and have become really good friends with her. Kayla has been there for me whenever I need her and my brother is super lucky to have someone like that in his life.
Love the pictures! Such an adorable couple!
So excited for these two. They both deserve nothing but happiness๐ I cannot wait to watch the beautiful bride walk down the isle in October!
I LOVE THESE!!! Love you guys!!
Thank you Kayce for the gorgeous pictures of Kayla and Thomas! You are the best and most sweetest photographer! I appreciate you for everything you have done to help make these pictures happen..all the way to Tuscaloosa and back. Looking forward to having you photograph the wedding!
I’m so excited to work with you all, Mrs. Tara! I know it will be a beautiful wedding!
Beautiful couple!!! Can’t wait till October 7!!
Wow the pictures show how beautiful these two are on the outside and inside. Their inner beauty glows in the pictures. The Denny Chimes pictures are amazing. The colors are great. I cannot wait until October and the wedding. The colors will be even more stunning. The pictures really capture their love for each other.
These are awesome! Love them and this couple!
Beautiful! So happy for you both!
We are so excited for you and love you both so much, as you already know! Just always make sure that your schedules align ๐ hahahaha! We can’t wait to be a part of your special day, as Jeff stands by his best friend as he marries his true love! Love Always xoxo, Dana & Jeff
Beautiful couple beautiful pictures! Looking forward to the wedding.
I am so happy for you two! Kayla and Thomas y’all are such a beautiful couple and a true representation of true love. These photos are wonderful!!!! ๐
Anise
Beautiful story and beautiful love. Continued blessing for this union
Such a cute couple!
This is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read. May God continue to bless you both to fall more in love with each other every day of your lives. Thank you both for sharing your story.
Melba
Precious Memories!!!
Love these pictures and this couple!! Can’t wait for the wedding!
These pictures are beautiful!! Can’t wait for the big day!!!
The beauty of these photos almost matches the beauty of this couple! So happy for you Thomas and Kayla!!
Beautiful pictures capturing a beautiful romance!
Gorgeous pictures and a beautiful love story โค๏ธ!
Man I am in tears reading about this incredible couple! I mean just look at them… they’re perfect for each other!
Kayla and Thomas, we love you both and are so excited to get to be a part of your journey of becoming husband and wife! We have been so lucky to get to be a part of every step of the way so far and I can’t wait to get to see Thomas’s face as he gets to see his bride walk towards him in October.
Kayce, thank you so much for sharing your talent by capturing our best friends love for each other! We can’t wait to see the memories you will give them from their wedding day to enjoy for years to come!