Kelsey and Tim met on July 5th, 2021. They realized very quickly that it was no fleeting thing, but a connection that was strong enough to stand the test of time.

Tim knew Kelsey was the one a short month later. After many days with family in Vermont, she bravely and selflessly agreed to cut her trip short to meet Tim's entire family on his birthday in early August. After she made the nine(!) hour drive, Tim was able to make quick introductions before returning to the grill to complete the meal. A freak thunderstorm with exceedingly heavy rains kept him pinned under a small tent, leaving Kelsey to fend for herself, with her new boyfriend's family for the very first time.

When the storm passed, Tim entered to find that, to the surprise of no one reading this, Kelsey had made friends with everyone in the room and was holding court with tales of everything from kayaking on Lake Champlain to Master's degrees.

As the months went by, their love grew. The Fall was highlighted with setting up classrooms, baseball games, another trip to Vermont and meeting friends and family.

But another storm was on the horizon. A new job was offered to Tim, one that would take him away to the West coast for four months. Always supportive, Kelsey encouraged him and even though it hurt to be apart, it would afford them a better future.

"Apart" is an interesting word. While separated physically, modern technology made sure that the bonds between them only deepened. Four hour conversations via phone or video were commonplace, if not daily. Trips were arranged and they spend several days exploring Northern California. Thanksgiving was spent cooking in a hotel room after a ten mile hike, which suited them both; they knew they were with family.

March brought Tim home, and there was only one thing on his mind. He knew what he needed in his life. Appropriate permissions were asked and covert ring shopping began, with both Kelsey and Tim's moms as co-conspirators.

And on very special Mother's day, much to Kelsey's surprise, Tim made the best decision of his life and got down on one knee.

On Mother's Day, 2022, Kelsey and Tim traveled to the Summers' house, under the guises of the holiday to be spent going to church and then preparing a meal to honor both of their mothers. While the meal was certainly a reality, it was not to be the centerpiece of events.

After almost uncovering her own surprise by opening a kitchen cabinet that hid the ring, they headed off to church. A well-timed stop at the grocery store for a "forgotten" ingredient gave time for the families to position the ring next to the pond in the back yard and the photographer to hide and wait for the big moment.

Getting Kelsey into position was a task, as she kept insisting that the cooking needed to start. Once she was in the pre-planned location (pictures are important, I've been told), Tim dropped to his knee and grabbed the ring box that had been surreptitiously hidden in a flower pot.

The following moments are still a blur. Words were said, a ring might or might not been placed on the wrong ring finger, but none of that mattered. Kelsey said yes.