K & K
May 21, 2016 · May 21, 2026
The Long Way Home
A decade of love, adventures, and finding home in each other.
The Photo That Started It All
March 12, 2011 — Omaha, Nebraska
Two years before they met, Kyle attended a Texas A&M MBA talk in Omaha and snapped a photo with Warren Buffett. That photo would end up on his Match.com profile — and change everything.
““He's with Uncle Warren, how bad can he be?”
How We Met
Spring 2013 — Los Angeles
Kate and Kyle met online in early 2013. A few emails became a few dates. By summer they were planning their first road trip together — and never really stopped.
Coffee, Burgers & Wings
March 2013 — San Pedro & Long Beach
Their first date was coffee at a Starbucks in San Pedro — one hour that felt like minutes. Their first public date — and first photo together — was an LA Kings game; Kyle had scored tickets through work. A few days later, dinner at Beachwood BBQ in Long Beach. Both ordered cheeseburgers well-done. Here is the strange part: Kyle never orders chicken wings — but on those early dates he kept suggesting them. Wings are messy, and yet Kate went along every time. It wasn't until much later she finally asked, "What the heck were you thinking?" Somewhere in those early weeks, Kyle took Kate to a shooting range and taught her to shoot for the first time. And one night at the Pike in Long Beach, they found a glitch on Wheel of Fortune, won a mountain of tickets, celebrated a few too many rounds at the wheel and bar — and Kate crashed hard, buried in arcade prizes.
““We passed an hour in what felt like minutes.”
The Road Trip Test
Memorial Day 2013 — Arizona to Vegas
Less than three months into dating, they embarked on a Memorial Day road trip that would become permanent family mythology. A Diamondbacks game, Sedona, the Grand Canyon — then nearly running out of gas in the desert, a police escort at 45 MPH, a brief stop at the Arizona Inn, and the last room in Vegas at the Hooters Hotel.
““The ENTIRE city of Kingman was booked… I mean every hotel.”
““Kyle worried after that trip that Kate's parents would never let her go anywhere with him again.”
Memorial Day 2013 · The Route
Game Day
Phoenix
Hotel night one and a Diamondbacks game.
Red Rock Country
Sedona
A beautiful drive through Sedona.
The Invisible Bridge
Grand Canyon West
The Grand Canyon Skywalk — and the adventure was just getting started.
62 Miles of Range. 60 Miles to Gas.
Middle of Nowhere
The moment they looked at the fuel gauge and did the math.
Police Escort at 45 MPH
Kingman
A cop followed them for 40 miles while Kyle coasted in neutral downhill. They made it to gas. But the ENTIRE city of Kingman was booked.
The $50 Motel
Kingman, AZ
Every hotel in Kingman was booked except one room at the Arizona Inn, an old drive-up motel. Kate sank into her sweater. "You're not comfortable, are you?" Kyle asked. She shook her head. "Come on, let's go" — he used the bathroom, got back in the car, and called it the most expensive pee of his life.
The Hooters Hotel
Las Vegas
Kate's parents found the last room in Vegas — $300/night at the Hooters Hotel. Dinner: cheesy tater tots and chicken wings.
Empty
The Feeling of Coming Home
2013–2014 — Seattle, Adventures & Home
On a trip to Seattle, Kyle told Kate he loved her for the first time — then they explored the Gum Wall and met Sylvester at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. Their first international trip took them to Cancún and Chichén Itzá. They kept adventuring: Big Bear Lake, Kate's first Texas A&M football game at Kyle Field in College Station, and Legoland years before kids. Christmas traditions took root. Kyle turned 30 with Kate and Drifter by his side. Halloween 2014 — matching pumpkin shirts, their early little family. And returning from Phoenix for work, he drove past his Long Beach apartment straight to Hermosa Beach — turning off PCH felt like coming home.
Seattle
Adventures
Cancún
Home
Early family
“I'll never forget turning off PCH, a mile or so from your apartment, and the feeling of 'being home' washing over me. It was your place, I didn't live there. But it felt like I was coming home. That was the moment when I knew I loved you.”
— Kyle
The Ring in the Sock
November 15, 2014 — Long Beach Marina
Kyle hid the ring box in his sock and took Kate on an early morning walk to the lighthouse at the Long Beach marina. She said yes. They celebrated with family — Kate hugging her mom and dad, Kyle shaking Mark's hand, both families together over brunch. That weekend they escaped to The Cliffs Resort in Pismo Beach with a card from Kyle's parents and wine on the sand.
She said yes.
The proposal — engagement video
She said yes
Telling the family
Pismo Beach
““If you marry my daughter you're marrying into the family.”
Planning a Life Together
2014–2016 — Wedding Preparations
They took engagement portraits where their story actually lived — Long Beach, where Kyle was based, and Hermosa Beach, where Kate's apartment had started to feel like home to them both. Kate had always pictured a beach wedding, but what mattered more was that everyone they loved could be there — so they chose the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, where the sand and the whole family could share the same frame.
““So fun to say that. It is now official. So glad you are having such a wonderful day. We love you both so much and are so very happy for you. It is nice to have another wonderful daughter in our family… and so glad it is YOU.”
Wedding Day
May 21, 2016 — Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Kate Makena Granich and Kyle August Matthies were married at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel at half past four on a Saturday afternoon. Uncle Darryl officiated. Their song was "Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band. The wedding party — Derek, Marty, Lauren, Baby Henry, Megan, Jenny, Tyler, and Ryan — and both families filled the day with laughter (including Kyle briefly wishing he were the bride).
The bride
Portraits
Ceremony
Vows
Wedding party
The Granich family
The Matthies family
Ceremony & celebration
Reception
Closing the night
The Day · A Pressed Card
Venue
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
Fireside Lounge & Ocean and Vine
Officiant
Uncle Darryl
First Dance
"Whatever It Is"
Zac Brown Band
Cake
SusieCakes
Date
May 21, 2016
Half past four on a Saturday afternoon
““You are considerate, kind, loving, family orientated, and a passionate man and I am so lucky and overjoyed to call you mine.”
““My vows to you today do not come with terms and conditions. They are absolute. I vow to love you unconditionally and without end.”
The Vows · Half past four · May 21, 2016
I do
Kyle’s Vows · May 21, 2016
Kate, my life has changed in so many ways the past few years.
Before I met you, I was the ultimate bachelor. I thought you only needed to use a vacuum when you moved out so you could get the security deposit back. I wasn't the most organized… In a moment of desperation, I once opened a bottle of wine with a screwdriver and pliers… I used to "iron" my clothes by hanging them in the bathroom with the shower on as hot as possible to steam them… I guess you can blame me for the drought. But probably most disturbing of all, I often survived on hot sauce pocket pasta and cottage cheese tacos…
Based on my life before I met you, I can say with 100% certainty; you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Now, I vacuum every week, occasionally iron my clothes WITH THE IRON, and haven't had hot sauce pocket pasta in years. But there have been other changes. I stop at the store on the way home to get flowers. I plan fun and surprising date nights and weekend getaways. And I think about our future together. Kate, you're the FIRST AND FINAL consideration in EVERY decision I make and I wouldn't have it any other way.
You complete me in every sense of the word; you're my soul mate. I know the days ahead will be full of ups and downs, but I vow to never lose sight of my love for you.
As I prepared for today, I thought a lot about our past. When I first met you, when I fell in love, and when I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. A key moment came for me a few months into our relationship when I went to Phoenix for work for a few days. Coming home, I landed in LA, but instead of going to my place in Long Beach, I went to yours in Hermosa. I'll never forget turning off PCH, a mile or so from your apartment, and the feeling of "being home" washing over me. It was your place, I didn't live there. But it felt like I was coming home. My heart soared as I turned onto your street, I couldn't wait to hold you. That was the moment when I knew I loved you. I finally had someone to come home to. Someone who had been thinking of me and missing me and was waiting for me to walk through the door. I knew at that moment I would always have a place to call home. A home with no hot sauce pocket pasta.
I promise to work every day to give you the devotion and support that you deserve and that every day will end with at least a few minutes of snuggles.
I promise that no matter the circumstance, you will never face another challenge alone.
I promise to be a better listener and realize it's not about the nail.
I promise I will always be your best friend, and that you can pick every other movie, even if it's a chick flick.
I promise to never stop learning and striving to be a better individual so that our relationship can continue to grow.
And yes… I promise to help with cleaning (and vacuuming) even though I really really hate it!
Finally, and this one is TOUGH, I promise to admit when I am wrong and to be a compromising partner who works with you to solve problems.
My vows to you today do not come with terms and conditions. They are absolute. I vow to love you unconditionally and without end. Today is the best day of my life; I will never forget how happy I am standing here with you. I look forward to all our adventures together, to building a family, new traditions, and continuing our love story.
Kate’s Vows · May 21, 2016
Ky—
There were many times in my life when I thought I would never find my soul mate. Then one February day I got a wink that would change my life forever! We will always joke on whether my dad or I picked you first but in the end it doesn't matter because today I choose you! From the moment I met you I knew you were someone special.
You have always supported my dreams, made me feel loved and have always put my needs before your own. You have helped me overcome challenges and have boosted my self esteem and because of your help I will be a better person today than I was yesterday. We have been on so many adventures in life. At first our adventures were a bit rocky... Kingman Arizona and the Oakland airport. But as time went on our rocky adventures became the best memories. I know life will have its up and downs but with you by my side there is no doubt we will be able to conquer anything.
I promise to encourage you and share all of your frustrations especially when watching college football.
I promise to never doubt your sense of direction because lets face it without you I would never find my way out of a paper bag.
I promise to always listen to what you have to say even when we don't see eye to eye and to remember love is saying I see it differently instead of saying you're wrong.
Love is also compromise and knowing it is ok to not have the last word.
I promise to always try my best to show you how much I care and love you no matter the circumstances.
You are considerate, kind, loving, family orientated, and a passionate man and I am so lucky and overjoyed to call you mine. My love for you grows deeper every second and I can’t wait to watch it grow deeper over the years as we continue our life journey together and grow old.
I love you!
Bora Bora Bliss
2016 — Tahiti & Bora Bora
Two weeks in Tahiti — Moorea first, then Bora Bora. A luau with flower crowns, ATVs by Cook's Bay, overwater bungalow decks at the InterContinental Le Moana, dinner on the lagoon under a glowing sky, and sunsets they still talk about. Kate summed it up perfectly.
““I had the best honeymoon EVER!”
““I am so excited to be your wife and start another chapter.”
Home Is Where the Heart Is
September–December 2016 — Mission Viejo
They found out they were pregnant on September 1, 2016. A photo in the September 3 real estate listing for 26801 Bridgeton in Mission Viejo — the house where they would bring Makena home — felt like a sign. Kate made a heart on her tummy in Santa Barbara a few weeks later. October brought the pumpkin announcement photo with her ultrasound. They moved in on December 20; Kyle promised Kate a Christmas tree if they made it before the holiday — stockings for Dad, Mom, Makena, and Drifter included.
Bridgeton
Expecting
First Christmas
““Kate had a smile on her face that I knew meant she loved the house.”
““We can picture bringing our first child home to your house.”
““Congratulations on your baby and I hear it's a girl. How exciting. Good job on breaking the streak!”
Hello, Makena
May 2017 — 2019
Makena Jane Matthies arrived on May 11, 2017 — named after Kate's own middle name. The first granddaughter on the Matthies side, breaking the boy streak. Drifter quickly decided he loved his little sister. They were a beautiful family of three — until it wouldn't be long before Morgan came to complete the family. Kate at seven months pregnant with Morgan, Makena at two, and life getting fuller by the day.
““I go home and hold her all night. It's going to be fun to spend more time with her.”
““We are so EXCITED. :)”
She's Here!
August 22, 2019
Morgan Rose Matthies arrived on August 22, 2019 — 8 pounds, 8 ounces. Before her birth, Kyle admitted it was "a little sad that it won't just be the three of us." But the moment she arrived, the family was complete — and Makena became the best big sister. They adopted Buster, and he quickly became one of the girls.
““She's here! 8 lb 8 oz, momma and baby are doing great!”
““Can't wait for more adventures as a family of 4.”
““We announced the baby's name on Friday — Morgan Rose.”
16 Melody Lane
2021 — Hawaii, Goodbye Bridgeton & Melody Lane
In May 2021 the family of four explored the Big Island of Hawaii — lava rocks, palm trees, and Makena’s uncontainable laughter. They said goodbye to 26801 Bridgeton with moving boxes in the garage. In December 2021 they settled into 16 Melody Lane in Ladera Ranch; Kate got her Christmas tree within days of moving — the same promise Kyle had made at Bridgeton, kept again.
““So the girls can grow up with more friends in their neighborhood.”
““We were in Maui, the girls had a great time.”
A Decade of Us
2022–2026 — And Beyond
Ten years. Two homes. Two daughters who fill every day with laughter, surprises, and more love than they ever imagined. Kyle coaches them both — Makena on the pitch and off the diving board, Morgan on the diamond and at the piano. From a Warren Buffett photo on Match.com to Melody Lane in Ladera Ranch — the long way home was always the right way. They returned to Maui for Kate's 40th: balcony sunsets, the Jeep, sisters arm in arm, a beach at sunset — and on a garden bridge, the four of them together in ALOHA sweatshirts, the picture that says it all.
Kate's 40th — Maui
Makena
Morgan
Coach Kyle
The Long Way Home
The Million-Dollar Question
“What would you buy with a million dollars?”
““A house and a hotel in Hawaii and stay there for a year and buy a Chihuahua and a thousand Goldie busters.”
““Give it to kids that don't have a lot of things.”
Heart Love
1-2-1
““I look forward to all our adventures together, to building a family, new traditions, and continuing our love story.”
Ten Years
May 21, 2016 — May 21, 2026
May 21, 2016 · May 21, 2026
Ten Years
Two homes. Two daughters. One long way home — and we’d take it again, step for step.
