Mine and Kyle’s love story began on February 22, 2018. It all started with a simple swipe on Tinder—both of us swiped right. Kyle wasn’t usually the type to initiate conversations with women, but for some reason, he decided to take a chance that day. His message was short and sweet: “Good morning, beautiful, thanks for being my match.” That one little message was enough to catch my attention. We spent a few days chatting online before deciding to exchange Snapchats. I was always cautious about giving out my phone number—I mean, you really don’t know who you’re going to meet online.
After exchanging Snapchats, something clicked. As it turned out, Kyle’s older brother knew my older brother. So, naturally, I texted my brother to get his opinion before agreeing to a first date. His response? “He’s an awesome dude. I think you should go!” Feeling reassured, I dragged my best friend, Jantson, along to a bar where my other best friend worked. Safety first when online dating, right?
When we pulled into the parking lot, I saw Kyle in his white Volkswagen GTI, parked right at the front. My nerves instantly kicked in. Questions raced through my mind: Do I offer to help him out of his car? What do I say first? Should I help him into the bar? I’d never dated a man in a wheelchair before, so naturally, I was nervous. We got out, I introduced Kyle to Jantson, and then stepped into the bar for our first date. The night went better than I could have hoped—Kyle ended up coming to my house afterward and didn’t leave until 3:30 a.m.
From that first date on, we were inseparable. Not a day went by without seeing each other. Within a month, we were practically living at each other’s homes—weekends at my place, weekdays at his. Two months later, we decided to take the next big step: we moved into an apartment together with Jantson and his boyfriend. Around the same time, we adopted our first fur baby, Rocco. It was clear to both of us that this was meant to be forever. Our families thought we were a little crazy, but we went ahead anyway.
We walked into that first apartment with very little money and a lot of uncertainty, wondering how we’d make it work. We spent our last hundred dollars at the grocery store, hoping it would stretch through the week. Months passed, and things began to stabilize. Kyle landed a career opportunity he couldn’t pass up, and I became busier with my business. Life started to feel a little more manageable. Just after our first year of dating, Kyle knew it was time to propose. On October 30, 2018, he bought a ring and spent months planning the perfect moment to ask me to marry him.
That moment came on March 30, 2019. I had gone out for a pedicure with a friend, completely unaware of what was about to happen. Later, we decided to grab dinner at the same bar where Kyle and I first met, along with a few friends. The wait for a table was painfully long, and I wanted to leave. Kyle, calm and confident, said, “Let’s stay, watch the burlesque show, and if we don’t get a table after that, we can go.” After the show ended, the announcer came on: “We have one more performance—if Kyle and Cortney would please come to the stage.”
I froze, hoping there was another Kyle and Cortney somewhere in the bar—I definitely wasn’t prepared to perform in front of a crowd! But there he was, rolling to the front of the stage. My friends nudged me forward, and I went up, still unsure what was happening. Kyle grabbed the microphone and said, “I knew from the moment I met you that I was going to spend the rest of my life with you.” My heart dropped—he was proposing. He opened the ring box and asked, “Will you marry me?” “Of course!” I screamed, overjoyed.
A few weeks later, we set our wedding date: November 2, 2019. That left only eight months for planning, which was stressful, but we made it happen. The big day arrived, exactly as we had imagined. After a long day filled with happy tears, laughter, and dancing, we returned to our hotel, starving, and ordered chicken strips before finally collapsing into bed. Our honeymoon in California was unforgettable—we explored Disneyland, museums, and the sights of the West Coast, soaking up every moment together.
Being in an interabled relationship may seem challenging to some, but it’s really not what people assume. Kyle is incredibly independent; the only thing I ever help with is reaching high places—something even I can struggle with! Having a disability doesn’t automatically make someone a caregiver or less capable. Kyle lives his life fully, just like anyone else.
So why is Kyle in a wheelchair? Kyle was born with spina bifida, the most common neural tube defect in the United States, affecting 1,500 to 2,000 babies each year. Spina bifida is a congenital defect of the spine, where part of the spinal cord and its protective covering are exposed through a gap in the backbone. Everyone with spina bifida is affected differently; Kyle’s level is L5-S1, which determines the location and impact of his condition.
Many people mistakenly believe that a disability prevents someone from having a normal life. Kyle works full-time, enjoys hobbies, and shares a beautiful life with me. Disabilities don’t define someone—they are simply one part of their story. Our hope is to inspire others, to show that being different is okay, and to teach children to embrace rather than fear differences. Often, kids ask us, “What happened to you?” We always take the opportunity to educate and show them that a wheelchair doesn’t make Kyle any less amazing. Love, independence, and adventure are for everyone, no matter the obstacles.
