Kelly and Todd met at college in the Fall of 2004, in Waterbury, Connecticut. A chance meeting in the school’s cafeteria soon turned into what would become a lifelong friendship and romance. Over time, while they shared a close-knit group of friends who often spent time together, Kelly was extremely shy and hadn’t yet found her self-confidence. Todd, on the other hand, was outgoing and was always willing to speak his mind.

While Todd always had feelings for Kelly, he tried to suppress those feelings, as he saw her shyness around him as a sign of disinterest. As the dynamics of their friend group changed, and relationships both formed and fell apart around them, they soon found themselves spending more and more time together, and no longer simply spending time as a larger group. Over time, their one-on-one interactions led them to the realization of how much they had in common. As Kelly became more comfortable and confident being herself around Todd, it soon became apparent that Todd had completely misread Kelly’s shyness; the opposite had been true. She had been shy and quiet around him because she did have feelings for him!

As their friendship grew, it soon blossomed into so much more. On May 18th of 2005, they were enjoying a day together at Mystic Aquarium when Todd finally mustered up the courage to ask Kelly how she felt about finally taking this friendship to another level. Kelly happily agreed, and the two were officially a couple.

Their relationship continued to blossom over the years that they attended college, but most importantly, their friendship strengthened as they grew together. It is that friendship that has always been at the core of their relationship. The first true test of the strength of that friendship, and that relationship, came when they finished college. Kelly’s whole life had been in Connecticut, and Todd’s had been in Massachusetts. What were they to do? How would they make this work? They knew back then that they wanted a life together. Now they had to figure out how to make that dream a reality. Could they really succeed at something that felt so impossible? Could their relationship stand such a test of time and distance?

Over the years, they have endured the many difficulties that life has thrown their way. Their bond has been tested in ways that few relationships have. They have had more than their fair share of struggles, medical scares, personal sacrifices, and even spending lengthy years living in separate states, all with the goal of one day marrying and finding a house that they could make their home; a place where they would start their family and have the life they hoped for all those years ago. A dream they would spend almost two decades working to make a reality.

Kelly and Todd have put their all into this relationship. They have grown together, experienced life together, cried together, laughed together, but most importantly, the friendship that brought them together has remained their greatest strength. After many years of working relentlessly to make the dream they had of bringing their lives together a reality, on June 26th, 2021, after enjoying a relaxing day at many of their favorite locations in Mystic Connecticut, a place that has played an integral role in their relationship, Todd finally mustered up the courage to ask Kelly to marry him. Thankfully, she said yes! They were fortunate to find a venue they loved, and arranged to get married on May 18, 2024, nineteen years to the day that they started dating!

Recently, after about a year of searching, they have finally found a house that they are working on with the hope that it will soon be the home they promised each other they would have to start their family. It’s a work in progress that has presented them with plenty of new challenges. But, like the other obstacles they have faced, they know they will overcome them and emerge even stronger thanks to the relationship that they have forged together, and the support of those around them.

During their years together, Kelly and Todd have worked towards the goal of making this dream that they had a reality and they have had the pleasure of experiencing so much together while growing as a couple. They’ve been delighted to have shared so many of their interests together over the years; something that has helped shape them into the couple they are today. Anyone who truly knows Todd and Kelly would surely agree how remarkably similar their interests and hobbies are.

Kelly and Todd love to travel and have had the pleasure of experiencing some of their favorite places together. From the more rural attractions like Letchworth State Park, Franconia Notch, Bar Harbor, and Watkins Glen, to the more festive atmosphere of Niagara Falls in the Summer, to historic locations like Washington DC and Gettysburg, they’ve been blessed to have shared these experiences together. They love being surrounded by nature, whether they’re exploring the wilderness on foot, enjoying a drive down country roads, enjoying the peace of cuddling up under a tree, or just listening to the sounds of a simple stream flowing.

They love food and are not ones to be opposed to trying new cuisine. Some of their fondest memories at college were shared over good food or in a kitchen experimenting with new recipes. This has remained true of their relationship throughout the years. They have shared many fond memories over a good meal. Kelly and Todd frequently joke that they don’t just vacation, they food-cation, often planning what they want to eat before deciding where they want to go on a given day.

They are both big fans of all things “nerdy,” including their love of sci-fi and fantasy, their enjoyment of Renaissance Faires and Comic-Cons, their love of game nights, and their obsessive book collections. Well, to be honest, Kelly is the more obsessive book collector, but Todd is definitely a close second.

Kelly and Todd have shared a love of music since they first met, everything from Classic Rock to heavier bands, to the Rock\Pop and Oldies we grew up with, to Big Band and Swing, to so much more. After all these years together it’s hard for them to turn on the radio and not hear a song that triggers a fond memory that they have shared together.

Over the years that Kelly and Todd have grown together, they have seen how well they truly complement each other. Kelly has helped Todd mellow out quite a bit and helped to give him a better understanding of himself. Todd has helped Kelly find her confidence and voice and helped her to be comfortable being the beautiful, well-rounded person she is today. Together, they have given each other clarity and a sense of purpose. They have given each other one of the greatest gifts that can be given: the love and strength of two unwavering friends who have, and always will, remain committed to making each other's dreams a reality. Two people who will always work for what is best for the other. Two friends, who are truly in love.

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Many of you who are reading this now have played a part in the story of us. Some of you have played significant roles in helping us to be the couple we are today, and we thank you for that. Many of you were there for us in ways, and at times, that you were unaware of. You still impacted our lives in ways that we are eternally grateful for. We are touched and honored to have you there on our special day. This is not just a marriage, this is the culmination of almost two decades of dedication to fulfilling a dream and a promise to each other. On our wedding day, that dream will finally become a reality. We can’t think of anything quite as rare, or as special, as getting to marry your best friend, and that is what we have the honor and privilege of doing. We are pleased that you will be there to celebrate with us. We hope that all of you reading this will be with us, in one way or another, over the years as the next chapter of our story plays out. We look forward to the many new experiences and adventures that life has in store for us, as the next chapter of our story is written.

Love, Kelly & Todd