I was working for Target Distribution at the time, when a new found friend and co-worker, April, had invited me to a Jaycees meeting. April had told me that she had a friend that had been inviting her for months, so in April of 2016 we both agreed to attend. Lo and behold this friend of April's ended up being Patrick. We chatted a bit during the meeting, but it wasn't until after the meeting that a group of about 8 of us all went to Bar-Food for drinks and socializing. Patrick and I immediately bonded over our guilty pleasure of reality TV, soccer, and adult recreational sports. Patrick claims it was my intense eye contact that drew him in.

The following Friday, we both again attended a Jaycees social get together at Service Brewing/B&D Burgers, where we found ourselves amongst 20+ friends, but couldn't seem to break away. Conversation flowed, and I found myself agreeing to join Patrick's Kickball team, which started playing that following week.

Over the next few months, we found that our friendship had continued to grow and Patrick invited me on a trip with him to Colorado. It was then that he had asked me to be his girlfriend, and the rest was history!

Until April 28, 2019 that is. Patrick had just torn his achilles playing adult recreational kickball and was about a week and a half post op. Still in a boot and riding around the kickball field on a scooter, he was always there to support. Our game was just starting and I was the 2nd kicker at bat. After 2 foul balls, the next had to be fair. I kicked a line drive between 2nd & 3rd, and knew I was good to make it to first base...until our first base coach sent me to 2nd because of an overthrow by the other team...and then to 3rd because of another over throw...and then our 3rd base coach is telling me to go home (at this point I really thought the Chop Kicks were having a rough night). As I'm crossing home plate, Patrick is there down on one knee (boot and all) holding a bright yellow kickball that says "Keri, Will you marry me?"

To say that I was shocked would be and understatement. He put the most beautiful ring I have ever seen on my finger and we had officially decided that life would forever be better with us together!