So…Our story begins in paradise on a lush tropical island, where two starry-eyed romantics fell in love at first sight.  Despite the minimal time available for our relationship to flourish, due to a frenzied fun-filled family vacation, we had several clandestine conversations that opened our eyes to each other’s souls.   Although we were very aware that odds were stacked against us, we each parted ways with a deep understanding of the other as well as their hopes, dreams and expectations.

Daily long-distance calls prefaced a second visit in paradise, where our heartfelt emotions were confirmed and somewhat impulsive yet firmly optimistic plans were made to journey through this life as one.  One short month later, we moved to Texas and began compiling endless, priceless memories of our adventures together: donning western attire for our first Texan rodeos, harmonizing with Crosby, Stills and Nash in concert, trekking through stalagmite-laden subterrenian caves, riding the mile long water park slides at Schlitterbahn and touring the historic Alamo and romantic river walk of San Antonio.  With our love for the beach, we’ve sampled coasts on the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Carolinas, Virginia, California and the Caribbean.

We’ve learned that our combined balance of adventure (Seth) and safety (Katie) has enabled us to experience and explore many of the world’s wonders together and still being able to walk away afterwards unscathed.

On a cold December day in the historic district of Charleston, South Carolina, we became engaged.  Seth secretly, yet expertly planned Katie’s “birthday weekend” as a surprise proposal (but lets face it, she knew it was coming…and he knew that!).  After the jaw-dropping accommodations at the historic landmark, downtown hotel and a romantic two hour, private horse drawn buggy ride down the picturesque streets of Charleston, Katie became marginally suspicious that this birthday was going to end a tad different than other dinners of the past.  During a romantic Italian meal, Seth unceremoniously dropped a box on the table and said, “I know you’re probably expecting this.”  That was it.  No knee drop, no profession of love, just a simple black jewelry box that stared Katie in the face, almost daring her to open it. She did, and although amazed and grateful for the generous gift (diamond earrings), she struggled to hide a faint disappointment that she did not wish for him to see.  However, to her surprise that night ended back in the hotel room, where the concierge had placed a bottle of Moet Chandon chilling on ice and a private trail of rose petals marking her path.  This time, the man of her dreams was holding another box (and their new kitten Kaleo) … the one she had been waiting for.  He nervously dipped down, and while balanced on one knee, delivered the speech he had waited his whole life to recite. While he nervously held his breath (as well as her hand (don’t forget Kaleo) she beautifully smiled down at him, her radiance taking his breath, yet again, and graciously accepted his proposal.

We are both thrilled to find love together and with our new families.  Celebrating holidays, birthday parties or spontaneous visits to California, Hawaii and Wisconsin has been nothing short of wonderful.

We count our blessings daily for the love that encompasses us, our families, friends…and our cats!