Our story began before we even realized there was any story to be told. Going back to when we were six years old in Miss Casey’s 1988 first grade class, at St. Theresa’s Catholic School, was the beginning of our beautiful life together. Kern and I were classmates for three years at this school, and even made our First Communion together in second grade. We both later switched to Bishop Larkin Catholic School for fourth and fifth grade. Looking back at these years, I recall him being a cute white blonde-headed kid just like me and he saw me as an intelligent, cute, reflective classmate always at the front of the class. I remember him speaking frequently about New Hampshire where he is from and spent his summers with his family. Kern remembers me singing in the choir and excelling at our school’s magazine drive fundraiser. I’m told he had a crush on me, but I’m glad he didn’t peak early! LOL! After fifth grade, Kern left to be home schooled by his mother and we lost touch from the time we were 10 years old.

Fast forward 23 short years and thanks to Facebook, we reconnected when Kern found me through a mutual former classmate. The typical online friendship ensued with comments here and there on each other’s pictures and life’s happenings. A couple years later one comment led to a Messenger conversation where we decided to catch up over dinner as I have done numerous times with former classmates. Unlike past dinners, this one was different from the start lasting over five hours until 1:00am on a Tuesday. In fact, we closed down the Sanford, Florida Ale House and continued to talk for an additional hour in the parking lot. That night turned out to be the best surprise of my and Kern’s life. Three days later, Kern went to China for a full month, and I think there was only one day that we did not spend hours on the phone getting to know each other even more. This led to a very anticipated second date and as they say the rest is history. Kern proposed one year and two days after that night at the Ale House.

The Engagement

March/April 2017 - Las Vegas was my first trip with Kern just two months after our initial meeting. I met him out there after a trade show for his company. He wined me, dined me, entertained me, and made me fall even more for him than I already had.

February 2018 - With our one-year anniversary upon us Kern decided to take me back to the Ale House where it all started just one short year ago. This dinner was uneventful with both of us just celebrating one year of great memories and laughs. Two days later, Kern would have great plans for me over the weekend back in Las Vegas at the very location where apparently, he fell in love with me. I thought it was nothing but another opportunity to share time with Kern before one of his company’s trade shows which was why I didn’t question his two extra suitcases. We were revisiting some of our favorite places from that first trip together, but this time it was all bigger and better. He said he had to take care of some things for his trade show our first day there and sent me for a surprise appointment to the salon to have my hair and makeup done to pass the time. When I walked back up to the Bellagio Resort suite, the door was opened by Kern in a 3-piece suit with the theme song to Pretty Woman playing and a room that was covered in a multitude of dresses & heels. It was truly a Pretty Woman moment with me being given the task to choose an ensemble to compliment the evening. I remember thinking how those two extra suitcases made sense now! Once dressed, he guided me to dinner at the Picasso restaurant where we sat on the terrace with a front-row view of the Bellagio fountains as we had our previous visit. The dinner was decadent, a five-course black truffle pre-fixe menu. Every 30 minutes throughout the evening the fountains water danced to various melodies. Between the entree and dessert, the fountains began going off again prematurely where I remember commenting, “We just had a fountain show, it’s too soon!” I didn’t really question this as the fountains are always beautiful and entertaining to watch, choreographed to the music. Elton John’s “Your Song” began playing, and as I heard the lyric, “My gift is my song and this one’s for you,” the maître d placed a silver domed plate between Kern and myself. As the lid was raised I saw a single rose and ring box on the plate. Before I knew what was happening, Kern was getting down on one knee, took the box, opened it telling me this was all for me, and proposed. It was a most amazing and memorable night and the easiest question I ever had to answer.