Love story: Kiley Branson and Alex Gibson

Kiley Branson and Alex Gibson had been friends since starting school at Washington State University in Pullman. They stayed friends for about three years before they started dating.

It was on the way back from a friend’s birthday party one night in 2006 that the couple literally fell for each other. In the January snow, Kiley and Alex slipped and fell. Kiley happened to land on top of Alex. And then he kissed her.

“He said, ‘If this happens every time I fall, I’ll have to do it more often,’” Kiley said.

The couple slipped and fell several more times on the way home.

Kiley Marin Branson of Bothell and Alex Michael Gibson of Anchorage, Alaska, plan an Aug. 2 wedding in Everett.

Their parents are Craig and Paula Branson of Bothell and David and Carol Gibson of Anchorage.

Kiley is a substitute teacher. Alex is a union carpenter. He has just been accepted to San Jose State University. The couple will move to California after their wedding.

Kiley and Alex began dating each other after their wintry walk home in Pullman. They found that they love to cook together, make art, go dancing and play pool, darts and cribbage.

“He’s a great listener,” Kiley said. “He lets me talk forever and ever and always appears interested.”

When Kiley graduated from WSU in 2006; she decided to stay in Pullman and get her teaching degree. Alex graduated in 2007.

The couple made a trip to Anchorage to visit Alex’s parents for the holidays. On New Year’s Eve they stood around a bonfire of Christmas trees, a tradition among Alex and his friends. It was cold, around 19 degrees.

After everyone left, Alex asked if Kiley if she would go for a walk with him. Since the couple often sing along together, she didn’t think anything of it when he broke out with The Beatles song “When I’m Sixty-Four.” Kiley sang along.

Alex got to the lyrics “will you need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four” and got down on one knee.

“I wondered what he was doing,” Kiley said. “I looked down and he was kneeling and holding up a ring.”

Kiley had no idea that Alex was going to propose. She had thought that relationship would just carry on the way it was. She even thought that she might have to propose to Alex.

“Oh my goodness. I was definitely surprised,” Kiley said.

The couple’s first wedding song will be “When I’m Sixty-Four,” although they have many songs, since they enjoy music and going to concerts together.

Kiley describes Alex as being very friendly, one of the nicest guys a person could meet.

“He puts people at ease,” she said. “He makes me laugh.”

She looks forward to being entertained when she and Alex marry and says that nothing is ever going to be boring.

“It means everything to me to have him in my life. I don’t know where I’d be without him,” Kiley said. “He encourages me to do the things I do. He makes me believe in myself.”

For more information on Love Story and Celebrations, call Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or e-mail harper@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.