The Couple — Lyndie & James

Meet Lyndie & James

Lyndall Elizabeth
Raymond
Bride

Born in Boulder, Colorado on her mama’s birthday - twin scorpios! 🦂🦂
Believes that Disneyland really is the happiest place on Earth - so much so that she’s made themed entertainment her career
Is trying to maintain her Italian streak on Duolingo and hopes it helps in the process of applying for her Italian citizenship
Has visited over 30 tiki bars and has even attended a tiki convention in San Diego. Mai Tais anyone?
Enjoys decorating and designing their home with quirky fun antiques and lots of colorful paint choices
Had platinum blonde hair when she fell in love with the boy who spent a lot of time with her in the summer of 2015

James Kevin
Hanifin
Groom

Born in Thousand Oaks, California a week before Christmas as the baby boy of the family
Has learned over time that Disneyland is actually a lot of fun
Is a hard working hospitalian who slings sushi to the stars and treats everyone at the table like a celebrity (if you’ve ever been served by him, you know this to be true!)
Moonlights as a YouTube-mechanic while restoring and modifying his two Harley Davidson motorcycles
Is just as happy with a rare and expensive Japanese whiskey or a Budweiser and a shot a Jameson
Found out how to spend as much time as possible with his good friend’s sister during the summer of 2015

Our Story

June 2015

THE MEET CUTE
Lyndie and her brother, Joey, move into a place together in Boulder. This place became the headquarters to all the summer shenanigans that year. James (one of Joey’s good friends) met Lyndie and they started spending more time together. 💗
September 2015

“FIRST” DATE TOGETHER AT RED ROCKS
Lyndie’s friend was unable to make it, but luckily James was happy to take the ticket and fill in. It ended up being their first solo date together and they celebrate this arbitrary day as the transition out of the “friendzone”.
December 2015

INSTAGRAM OFFICIAL
Looks like Lyndie shared the first picture together 👀 it was taken at the Raymond’s Ugly Sweater Christmas party, and Lyndie declared James her “boo”.
August 2016

JOSH & RACHEL’S WEDDING
The first time Lyndie met most of Jake’s family was at his sister Rachel’s wedding. Lyndie’s nerves were quickly replaced with excitement and comfort. Both Lyndie and Jake are blessed with amazing families.
November 2016

FIRST TRIP TO DISNEYLAND TOGETHER
They roadtripped to California to spend Thanksgiving with James’s mom Sara in Santa Barbara, and spent some time in LA - foreshadowing the move!
July 2017

JAMES IS INTRODUCED TO THE KUHL SIDE
His first time visiting Galena, IL and meeting Lyndie’s extended family at a wedding. Lyndie repeatedly reassured him “that’s just how they show their love”.
September 2017

LYNDIE MOVED TO LOS ANGELES, LONG DISTANCE DATING BEGINS
Still the saddest either of them has ever felt saying goodbye at the airport. It wasn’t all bad though, they had the best visits going to Dodger games and exploring LA.
June 2018

ITALIAN SUMMER VACATION
And Jake’s first time visiting Italy. They dream about going back non-stop.
September 2018

REUNITED IN BOULDER
Lyndie moved back to Boulder and starts her MFA program at CU. Everything feels right in the world again!
July 2020

MOVED TO SANTA MONICA
Mid-pandemic they packed up and moved to Santa Monica. LA was still completely shut down for a while, but they kept themselves entertained with good friends who lived next door.
October 2021

WORK & PLAY IN THE NETHERLANDS
Lyndie was working near Amsterdam for a couple of months and Jake made sure to visit. We saw windmills, drank lots of beer, ate lots of bitterballen, toured around and enjoyed being together.
May 2023

MOVED INTO OUR HOME
After six months of house hunting, we closed on our home in mid-city Los Angeles, and moved in! It’s an adorable spanish-style house built in 1930 and has a prohibition-era speakeasy hidden below a trapdoor in a closet!
September 2023

WE’RE ENGAGED
After lunch (and 8 years of dating) at Neptune’s Net in Malibu, Jake asked Lyndie on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. She said “of course!”, and then stopped for tiki drinks at Duke’s before heading home and calling the fam. 💍
January 2024

SMOKEY 🐾
One more update until the wedding… They adopted a puppy this year and he’s the coolest little dude. He fits in perfectly and they definitely can’t imagine not having him around now!