3 years ago, we both were coming from toxic marriages that we were in for 17 years. Kalen left Washington State and bounced around the western U.S. with his dog buddy homeless for almost a year. Living in his car, ending up back home in Guymon, Oklahoma where he began to put his life back together. Stephanie was coming from a toxic marriage that crushed her dreams of ever doing what she loved. Baking amongst other things. We both were struggling mentally, and spiritually. We were 2 lost ships in the night, trying to navigate our way.We were Facebook friends for many years. And during our difficult time, we started to talk and help support each other. One day Kalen posted a selfie after a new haircut, feeling and looking good. Stephanie commented with a "GIF" saying cute. And we started talking more. Both of us were very adamant, we wanted to just be friends. As we were just months out of serious relationships. God had other plans... As we got to know each other more, we started to see signs that God wanted us together. We planned a trip to see one another. Then something no one ever sees coming.... We both had deaths in the family. That paired with seeing how things can change so quickly in life. We made the decision to say "let's give this a shot." Kalen packed his car (quite literally just a tub of cloths and blankets) his dog and drove after working an overnight shift at his job. From Guymon, Oklahoma to Blaine, Minnesota.

Our families we're concerned of course as anyone would be. But we knew, God wanted us together. The first year was definitely a rocky one!!Getting to know someone while living with them. Kalen had trouble finding a job going about 3+ months without one. Cleaning the house and taking care of it while Stephanie worked. One thing we bonded over so much is that we both were foodies. First thing Kalen wanted to do was find a good burger joint lol so we went to Lucy's Burgers off Lexington, it was our first date. As time went on, Kalen knew baking was Stephanie's dream. He said one day, "Why don’t we just go for it!?.. Let's make Gilly’s Goodies a real business!?" * Fun fact, her brother Mike and family used to call her Gilly as her childhood nickname.

We started to look into cottage bakery and got everything we needed to be legal and safe. We started doing craft fairs in Elk River at the high school during Christmas 2023, just about a month after deciding to make Gilly’s Goodies a business. For the longest time, Kalen followed in his dad's footsteps. Supporting his significant other in her dreams.Being the support team in the background. Kalen’s mother was an RN/ House Supervisor, Author of romance novels and started her own company Highway Hypodermics. A company back in 2002 about Travel Nursing. She was a founding staple in shaping how Travel Nursing is today! Literally writing the book on travel nursing. She wrote 8, #1 best sellers on Amazon and being head note speaker at TravCon for almost a decade! Kalen dad wasn't in the best health and soon became very sick.

We decided last min to cancel an event we were going to for the 4th of July last year. And we traveled from Minnesota to Idaho with a dog to see Kalen’s dad in the hospital and surprise his mom. It was a short 5-day, 5 states, 1300-mile road trip. Sleeping in a Toyota Tacoma for a few hours here and there at gas stations and truck stops. But it was worth it! "You can always make more money; you can never make more time!" Sadly, Kalen’s dad passed away shortly after. It was that trip, where Stephanie helped Kalen and his mom with his dad when he came home from the hospital. That he knew, she was a woman he needed in his life forever!We went back to Lucy's Burgers for dinner on our 1-year anniversary, sat in the same seat as our first date. Towards the end, Kalen was acting weird.. asking the server if they had this (showing the server the text on his phone) asking about a dessert. In reality, he was asking for a dessert to propose, and the staff came out with "Merry Me?" Brownies .

To some, they may say really!? At a burger place.. But to foodies, who loved Lucy's food. Who had special memories there, it was perfect. Because it’s about the thought, the care that went into it. As we continued to really think about how we wanted to proceed with Gilly’s Goodies. Do we want to do a food truck, have a store front, do we want to combine food and baking!? We had a 5-year plan, we were going to do a food truck. Then, the unthinkable happened!! Kalen’s life exploded!! He got word, his mother passed away in her sleep just 10 months after the passing of his father. It was another grave reminder that tomorrow is never promised, and to live each day to the fullest! To go after your dreams, and not be on your death bed with a life full of, " What if "... Just 4 years ago, life was living in toxicity. 3 years ago, it was completely different.Trying to navigate uncharted waters and uncertain what life was going to look like. And now, we are doing better than ever! Thriving in a beautiful, loving, supportive, godly relationship! Closer in our faith than we ever have been! We are simply 2 people who never gave up on life, even when life gave up on us!

We are 2 people who know first-hand, that tomorrow is never promised. And we want to live every day being the best version of ourselves. Exploring the world, facing our fears, taking the bull by the horns and saying "HEY YALL, WATCH THIS!" LOL ok well that’s Kalen anyway and his southerners  You’re not just buying cookies, or pies.... You are helping make 2 people's dreams a reality! You are part of changing 2 people's lives for the best!  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us! Without YOU, NONE of this would be possible!