You might be asking, why are we starting this story in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1990? A small group of rambunctious young adults in their mid-twenties, all moved into the same apartment complex, Bent Tree Apartments. Becoming acquainted with their neighborhood, newly weds, Ken and Ellen Tollett run into an energetic couple, Brad and Debbie Smith. They knew this friendship would last, because each couple was competitive in sand volleyball, game nights, and everyone's favorite, who can drink their beer fastest?!

Some weekends, family would visit and the group would show them how Bent Tree parties. Debbie Smith’s sister, Bonnie Stahl (now Moore) and her boyfriend Kenny Moore visited Bent Tree on various occasions. Many times, running into the Tollett's. Who knew something special would happen 30 years down the road between these friends...

As years go by, Ken and Ellen have their two kids. Born in Indianapolis, and eventually planting roots in Wadsworth, Ohio. Kenny and Bonnie Moore have their two girls and continue their legacy in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Seemingly unaware of each other's lives for about 24 years.

The Moore's and Smith's both planting roots in Bowling Green, Kentucky, their children were inseparable. Emilee, Allie, Jenny and Grant were all high-spirited kids, always on the move. Sports, skiing/snowboarding, travelling, boating on Barron River or Lake Cumberland, and having dynamic social lives are a few of their shared activities.

The Tollett's grew up in northern Ohio. Near family, which we spent about every weekend with. Katey being older, she was always the teacher. Kenny was the student, still to this day. Whether we were playing sports, on Lake Erie boating, or hanging out with our friends, we always found fun wherever we went.

We thank our parents for supporting us every step of the way.

The Tollett's joined the Smith's in Disney World Road Trips various times, in early 2000s. The Tollett's would drive south to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Pick-Up the Smith Crew and adventure down to the happiest place on earth.

As the kids got older, Brad and Debbie Smith decided that an "Adult Only Houseboat Trip" on Lake Cumberland would be a fun option for everyone. Since all the kids were now legal drinking age, we all decided to get down to clown. The Tollett's and Smith's had a yearly get together, to catch up on life. AND NOT ONCE did Grant bring up his hot cousins... (Kenny is typing this)...

The second day of the houseboat trip, I see a boat pulling closer to the spot we tied up. This boat was carrying two blonde girls, about the same age as me, and I assumed their parents. Grant says that those are his cousins, and at this point I needed to put my game face on. The boat ties up and I casually race down to help tie the boat up and take bags and stuff off. Introducing myself in the process. I have liquid courage at this point, so this was easier than usual.

(Kenny isn't narrating anymore)

As the weekend went by, Emilee and Kenny played drinking games, wake boarded, got overly competitive at trivia, and talked about Marvel Superheroes for hours. Sparks were flying, everyone saw, but we did not. Little did we know, we both were going through somewhat rough endings to our previous relationships at that time, so the connection wasn't made..... yet....

As month's went by, Kenny's sister Katey was getting married. December 28th, 2019, and Kenny needed a date. He asked his sister and Mom who he should ask, and they both unanimously said, "EMILEE MOORE!"

Kenny shot her a text quoting Real Bros of Simi Valley, a show we quoted multiple times on the houseboat, "I'm straight up not having a good time, unless you go to my sister's wedding with me." Somehow, this cheesy line worked. Emilee taken a bit aback from the text, practically demanded Kenny to visit her in Lexington, Kentucky to hang out and get drinks with each other. We did not want our first date to be Katey's wedding, even though to this day Emilee still says it is. Kenny and Emilee went to get pizza from a local spot next to her apartment, and then she treated Kenny to a University of Kentucky vs. Georgia Tech basketball game. It was a great first date, and Kenny still has the tickets from the game.

After Katey's wedding, Kenny asked if Emilee would like to go to Dallas, Texas to meet his friend and celebrate New Years with him. With no hesitation, she said yes. Fortunately, Western Kentucky had a Bowl Game in Dallas that year, so her dad, sister, and her all travelled together. That New Years, as the ball dropped, Kenny dropped the corniest line imaginable, "I only kiss my girlfriend on New Years." Emilee hesitated, smiled and laid a fat smooch on Kenny. It's official. Moved a bit fast, but official.

A year goes by in their relationship, and Kenny decides to move closer to Emilee, Nashville, TN. Kenny's project in Atlanta, Georgia was wrapping up and he knew Nashville was a perfect place for not only business, but his future life. Emilee packed her things in Lexington, Kentucky and moved back to Bowling, Green. An hour from Nashville. Emilee basically lived out of Kenny's downtown apartment, as she travelled the southeastern United States for work. During this time, Kenny and Emilee adopt their beloved puppy, Marvel. I wonder where that name came from.

Another year passes and Kenny asks Emilee if she'd like to find an apartment together. She says yes again, knowing that she doesn't want to have her puppy to travel from Nashville to Bowling Green every other weekend. Kenny and Emilee find a brand-new apartment, next to Percy Priest Lake, in Hermitage, Tennessee. We stayed in that apartment for two years, loving every bit of living together. We were officially each other's "home."

Saturday, August, 20th 2020

Kenny gathers his friends and prepares them. The big question will be asked today. We met at the W Hotel in Nashville. Got the ring ready, camera set, and everyone in place. Emilee was just getting off work, and she calls Kenny saying her feet hurt and to bring her down her sneakers to the lobby of the W. Kenny didn't hesitate and scurried down to the lobby with nerves on high power. Emilee knew something was up when Kenny walked out of the elevator wearing a white button down and khaki pants. She went along with it, knowing in the back of her mind that it would happen soon. As we got back to the roof, we all agreed that it would be quick, so Kenny's nerves could subside. As Emilee turned to say hi to her friends, she turned around and BOOM... ROCK...

She said yes.

We partied the night away, and that will forever be one of the best nights we've had in Nashville.

The following month, Kenny and Emilee decide to start building a house. Adding another large task to their plate, this postponed any and all wedding planning until the conclusion of the house construction. Our house was finished March 1st, 2023.

If you have made it this far, we love you. We cherish the memories we've spent with each and every one of you. And we thank you for supporting us along the way. It is still mind blowing to us that our parents knew each other way before we were even born. People ask how we met all the time, and we both always let out an "UGH..." It's quite a sequence of events, and if one of these events didn't happen perfectly, we never would've met. We're thankful life has crossed our paths. We plan to start our journey, as a married couple soon.

Thank you for reading. With Love,

Kenny Tollett and Emilee Moore