Our story begins LONG before a bended knee and a ring. Two dedicated volunteers met while working at the local fire department at a fundraising event in 2009. We were both in committed relationships at the time and a professional friendship developed while volunteering together and wanting what was best for our department. Years passed, many events, and we were constantly running into each other. The normal “Hey, how are you?” and “What ya been up to?” was our norm back then. Kris was a dedicated volunteer but more importantly a single mother to two boys, Dylan & Tyler, and works full time as a Registered Nurse. Scott was a hard-working full-time employee with the State of Maryland as an Emergency Medical Services Communications Operator. Then during the summer of 2022 Scott moved into an apartment in Upperco and became much more involved as a member of Upperco Volunteer Fire Company. During the summer months Upperco hosts demolition derby fundraisers & Scott was the track announcer and would often run into Kris during these events. Then during September, the fire department hosted an annual bluegrass music festival and that summer we were inseparable. We worked together fundraising & hung out after wards listening to music and rockin’ the night away at all the “jam sessions.”

Then it was Yuletide Village season. Again, we were working closely with the other volunteers setting up, preparing the train garden & the outside displays, working at the event after opening night & every weekend starting Black Friday. One night Scott asked Kris if she liked Ocean City? She replied, “I LOVE Ocean City.” Scott plans a trip every December to a training conference in Ocean City and invited Kris to attend with him and she agreed to go. We arrived Friday night, had dinner, and met a few mutual friends at the hotel bar & retired for the night. While Scott attended his conference during the day on Saturday Kris kept herself busy “borrowing” the truck and doing her own thing until Scott was done training for the day. On Saturday evening we went to Dead Freddies for dinner then went to see the festival of lights on 127th Street. We kept noticing Santas all over town but thought nothing of it because it was Christmas season after all. Well, a trip down to Wicomico Street and into the Cork Bar we learned what Santa Con was. We had a few drinks and hoped in the truck and quick trip up Coastal Highway to our favorite Ocean City spot, Seacrets. We made our way to the “club” side and there was an amazing DJ playing the best music. We grabbed a drink & made our way towards the dance floor. Scott is NOT a dancer, but the DJ was amazing, and Kris persuaded him to join her in the crowd. Then it was time for the band to come back on the stage. We made our way to the edge of the dance floor but, like the DJ, they were amazing and before we knew it, we were back in the middle of the crowd of Santas, elves, Christmas tree costumes, and everyone else. We were totally in the moment when the band began to play the Aerosmith song “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing.” A bit apprehensively Scott pulled Kris close, and we began our first slow dance. Kris tucked into Scott’s chest and began to dance. A few moments into the dance Kris looked up and we exchanged our first kiss in the middle of the dance floor and that’s where it all began.

Our relationship blossomed and we quickly started doing almost everything except work together. We discovered we have many common interests. We both love music, the beach, camping with our friends, our dedication to Upperco Volunteer Fire Company, and many other things. In 2023 our first vacation together was for the state fire convention, where else, in Ocean City. In December we returned to Ocean City for the training conference but changed things up a bit and participated in the SantaCon events on Saturday night.

Then in early 2024 we ventured on Kris’ first cruise to Miami and the Bahamas. Scott had a plan. A ring was purchased and secretly tucked into his suitcase. It was a nine-day cruise with two formal nights. The first of which was scheduled to be a specialty dining night with our group of nine. Everyone knew the plan but Kris. During the day the girls kept Kris busy so Scott could meet with the specialty dining room and the photographers. The ring was given to the staff for the later presentation. Kris came back to the room none the wiser and with a new build a bear to remember her first cruise. We prepared for our dinner. Kris was wearing a beautiful burgundy dress and Scott was dressed in his Fire Department class A uniform. Fitting for a formal night we both were dressed to the nines. We met our party at the steak house dining room and began our experience. We were treated to drinks and what we called our “crabbie patty.” Then it was time for our appetizer course. Kris was presented with a large glass domed plate filled with smoke. She looked very confused at the staff member and said, “I didn’t order that.” Scott looked at her and said, “You’re going to want to look under there.” As Kris lifted the dome, she wafted away the smoke as Scott moved his chair and repositioned to a bent knee. With tears in her eyes, Kris got her first view of the ring beautifully placed in the center of the most wonderfully colorful tropical flowers. A few words were said, and one question was asked. With tears now in both of our eyes, she said yes as the entire restaurant applauded. And that is how we started and got to where we are today. Planning a new life together.