Gene and Kendra’s story began shortly after college, when two creatives with a shared passion for marketing, branding, and design unexpectedly found one another. Gene, originally born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, grew up in Big Lake, Minnesota before attending Minnesota State University, Mankato. Kendra was born and raised in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and later attended North Dakota State University. From the very beginning, their connection felt effortless — bonded by creativity, ambition, faith, and a shared appreciation for building a meaningful life together. What started through conversations about ideas, business, and future dreams quickly turned into a love neither of them could ignore.

On September 11th, 2025, Gene proposed to Kendra at RH Rooftop in Edina, Minnesota, marking the beginning of their next chapter together. The couple currently resides in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and plans to continue building their life together in the Twin Cities for the near future. Following their wedding celebration, Gene and Kendra look forward to spending their honeymoon in Hawaii, soaking in the beauty of the islands as they begin married life together as The Sangumas.