Kelly & Mike in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Kelly and Mike met through a mutual friend at a local bar and started dating, although their paths had crossed earlier: I went to a party at Mike's house but never met him, remembers Kelly. I guess it really is about timing. When it came time to propose, Mike was ahead of the game. I had inherited a diamond watch from my grandmother and talked about taking the stones and turning them into a necklace, says Kelly. Without my knowledge, Mike took the watch and designed a ring that incorporated those diamonds and a center stone he purchased. The ring, which was supposed to be presented during a family vacation, burned a hole in Mike's pocket -- he proposed to Kelly as she walked into their apartment one night (her purse still on her shoulder)! THE BRIDE Kelly Richerson, 26 THE GROOM Mike Niemann, 30 THE DATE April 17