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Introduction: A Life of Independence, Family, and JoyAthena’s background: I am a vibrant, independent Greek woman. A retired teacher, I have dedicated my life to nurturing others, but also find peace in my own time—enjoying cooking, entertaining, and spending time with my close-knit family. Love for family: Family is always first for me. My love for my children and grandsons is clear. My daughter, Erica, lives in Florida with her husband Zach and am so proud of the life they have made with each other. I am also incredibly proud of my two sons, Corey and Elliot. Corey and his wife Jessica have blessed me with two wonderful grandsons. Elliot and Sharon have given me constant Iove, while sharing their little farm with me. I cherish these relationships deeply. Family is the center of my life. The goats: I find serenity in the relationship with my son Elliot and his wife Sharon's goats—Ruthie, Sonnet, and Ballard. While I do not personally take care of the goats, I love visiting them and enjoy the peace they bring me. The goats are a source of joy and calm in my life, and I appreciate how they bring my family together. Life Before Ken: Independence and Quiet JoyA life lived fully: My life before meeting Ken was one of independence and fulfillment. I had been single for many years, not seeking love and content with my life. As a fun-loving Greek woman, I traveled, cooked, and spent quality time with my family and friends. For the past 23 years I have entertained amazing family and friends for "Greeksgiving." I am close to my children and grandchildren, and they bring me immense joy. A teacher at heart: After retiring, I still felt called to teach. Presently, I work full-time in my grandson’s school, which gives me purpose and joy. This unique role allows me to be close to my grandson, while also giving Ken and I the freedom to travel. Ken’s early life and career: After graduating high school, I joined the Marine Corps, where I started a career that would span 20 years. My life as a Marine was full of discipline, service, and adventure, and I quickly establish myself as a man of strength and dedication. Marriage to my first wife: While stationed in North Carolina after boot camp, I met my first wife. The two of us built a beautiful life together, full of shared experiences, love, and memories. We were married for many years, and I found great joy in our family life. The loss of my wife to dementia was a profound chapter, one that shaped the course of my life after her passing. Passions and hobbies: Beyond my career and family life, I also developed a love for hunting and outdoor activities like riding my Harley and ATV. These hobbies became my outlets for relaxation and connection with nature. They are an important part of who I am and have shaped how I live today. &nbsp;Life After Loss: A Time of Reflection and New BeginningsLoss and healing: After my wife’s passing, I spent some time reflecting on my life and processing my grief. Deb suffered Dementia for 3 1/2 years. I took pride in the care of this special woman to the end of her life. Though I felt deeply the absence of her passing, in my heart I knew she had been gone from me many years prior to her death. I felt her loss for many years while she was still with me. My hobbies, such as riding the trails and spending time in nature, were grounding and helped me regain a sense of peace. I had great help from my family and also The SUNY Respite Organization and The Office of the Aging. The 4 hours a week they gave me gave me time to grocery shop and visit with family. Meeting Ken: A Surprising ConnectionKen’s loss and Athena’s invitation: After the passing of my wife, Athena, though only a friend for a few years, saw the need for companionship and invited me to dinner. This wasn’t a romantic gesture at first, but a genuine offer of friendship. A night of conversation: The evening of our dinner, we found an unexpected bond. We discovered we had much in common, especially a shared love for family and the simple joys in life. From there, our connection began to deepen. Starting to date: What began as a dinner between friends quickly blossomed into a relationship. We enjoyed each other’s company, laughed together, and found joy in the little things. I introduced Athena to my hobbies, like hunting and ATV riding, which she loved, but she wasn’t quite as enthusiastic about the Harley rides. &nbsp;Building a Life Together: A Growing LoveSharing adventures: Though Athena wasn’t keen on the Harley, she embraced my other passions, such as riding the ATV on trails, which became something we both enjoyed together. It was during these adventures that Athena began to see just how well they fit together, and she knew then that I was the one she could build a life with. Finding peace with Ken: I feel that Ken brings out the best in me. He makes me feel whole again, after years of independence and self-sufficiency. Together, we have created a life of peace, adventure, and love—both in our personal lives and through their shared experiences with family, travel, and the world around us. Discovering a New Kind of Love: Ken and Athena’s Growing ConnectionA new companionship: As I began to date Athena, my shared values and love for life grew stronger. I introduced her to my side of life, including my love for the outdoors—hunting, riding the Harley, and ATV adventures. Athena, who had led an independent and active life, finds joy in these activities as well, and it’s clear that we enjoy spending time together. Realizing she’s the one: The more time I spent with Athena, the more I realized how much she complements my life. I am able to share my hobbies with her, and her enthusiasm and enjoyment make it even more fulfilling. I had come to understand that Athena is a keeper—someone who truly makes me feel whole again. The happiness we share becomes undeniable, and we decided to pursue a future together. Building a Life Together: A Growing LoveSharing adventures: Though I wasn’t keen on the Harley, I embraced Ken’s other passions, such as riding the ATV on trails, which became something we both enjoy together. It was during these adventures that I began to see just how well we fit together, and knew then that Ken was the one I could build a life with. Finding peace with Ken: I feel that Ken brings out the best in me. He makes me feel whole again, after years of independence and self-sufficiency. Together, we have created a life of peace, adventure, and love—both in our personal lives and through our shared experiences with family, travel, and the world around us. The Proposal: Taking the Leap TogetherA beautiful proposal: After building a beautiful life together, I proposed to Athena in front of a large crowd at a Christmas toy drive. It was a celebration of the love we had found in each other, a love that had grown stronger over time. Athena’s heartfelt “Yes” was the start of a new chapter, one filled with excitement and joy for our future together. The excitement of engagement: We are now planning our wedding, set for August 2, 2025. Our engagement is a symbol of everything we've built together: love, adventure, family, and a future we are eager to share.

The Story of Athena and Ken

Our Story

Photos

Ken is proud to have his brother Kevin standing up for him. This is our Mummy Eileen Brassard with the best man!

Kevin Brassard

My precious daughter Erica and her handsome husband Zach!

Erica Hughes

Corey Mousseau

These two handsome men are my amazing sons!

Elliot Mousseau

Cole Mousseau

Zach

Cole and Mason are my incredible grandsons.  They will have fun giving Ken and I our rings!

Athena & Ken

Athena & Ken

A&K

Wedding Day