In 2002, the Kudrna family moved next door to the Hocker family. Over the years, the kids, Curtis, Connor, Emily, and Will played together often. As time went on, Curtis brought his best friend, Neil around to hang out. He would be at the house or Stockton Lake or the farm on evenings and weekends regularly. Emily would often be around taking care of Connor, as he was the youngest kid.


During the summers, Neil and Emily would often pair up to ride four-wheelers or jet skis. They developed a close friendship of their own.


After Emilys first year at college, she came back to Overland Park to nanny. That was the first summer Neil and Emily hung out regularly without the others. Visiting Orange Leaf, Applebees, the movie theater, and the farm and lake just like every other summer.


Every following college summer, Neil and Emily spent time together, talking for hours and just getting to know one another. Emily introduced Neil to hammocking and his parents spent the entire duration laughing at them set it up across the driveway with tie-down straps.


It seemed everyone could see there was something special between Neil and Emily, but they were simply childhood friends. Until there was more.


Christmas 2021, Emily came home from Tampa to visit. As usual, she spent a large amount of her time home, hanging out with Neil. He attended the Hocker Christmas party like every other year where Emily invited him to visit Florida, and her mom reiterated the idea later on.


Neil decided to accept and visited Emily in Tampa for the first time in February 2022. He chose to share his long-time feelings for Emily at the end of the trip, and they began dating.


They have dated long distance the majority of their relationship with Neil traveling back and forth from Kansas to Tampa, and then Panama City, where Emily had to relocate for work.


When Neil decided to propose he knew it had to be in Tampa, as that was where their story had truly begun. For Emilys birthday, he planned an elaborate surprise trip. The location of the trip and all the activities were a surprise to Emily. They went kayaking at Weeki Wachee, visited Salt Shack, attended church at Grace Family, and spent an afternoon on the beach, all activities from the very beginning of their relationship. The weekend culminated in a surprise birthday dinner in Tarpon Springs with some of Emilys closest friends.


Unknown to Emily, this was all cover for the proposal. After dinner ended, Julia, a dear friend, suggested watching sunset on the beach. Emily happily agreed, as sunsets are one of her favorite things.


The group sped off to catch the sunset at Julia, and her husband, Carlos’ neighborhood beach. The sun was setting fast, but they made it just in time for a truly beautiful sky. Julia offered to take birthday pictures of Neil and Emily, even having them pose different ways. Neil got down on one knee and Emily turned around to see him. Neil hardly managed to form sentences although he hadnt been nervous until the moment his knee hit the ground. Through tears, Emily managed to get a Yes out, and celebrations began.


The whole proposal was made even sweeter because the engagement ring was originally Emilys great-grandmothers and is 100 years old. Her grandfather, Papa Beep, left it to her when he passed away, but her parents had it in safe keeping for this special day.




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Neil and I are incredibly excited to begin a life together, and ask for your prayers and encouragement as we navigate this season of engagement. We look forward to celebrating our marriage with each and every one of you this April!