Our story starts over ten years ago at a local family restaurant, Baci Grill. Taylor, who was a senior in high school, worked as a hostess on nights and weekends. Chris was in culinary school when he began working at Baci as a chef.

Taylor can distinctly recall her first interaction with Chris. She remembers being struck somewhat speechless as he so closely resembled her celebrity crush, Jeremy Renner. Perhaps somewhat confused by her silence, Chris nodded in her direction and said, “sup” as he walked past.

Taylor harbored a bit of a crush on Chris during their time working together as he was a few years older and seemed too wrapped up into being a 21-year-old boy to give her much notice. During this time she enjoyed his delicious cooking and kitchen banter until it all abruptly came to an end when Chris left for another job.

Six months passed and Taylor’s crush was all but forgotten. In the midst of an afternoon serving shift, she opened the kitchen door to find Chris seated at the bar. Instead of their usual bickering, the two spent some time catching up and even exchanged a few compliments. Later that night, Chris finally asked her on a date.

Though Chris made some questionable choices on their first date, like taking Taylor to Walmart to buy windshield wipers… there was an undeniable spark.

The second date and third date came soon after, and by the fourth date they were spending all of their free time together. All the while, Chris’s first day of army boot camp loomed ever closer.

After only a month of dating, Chris asked Taylor if she would be his girlfriend (Weird, we know, but it was 2014 and people still did that). Less than a week later, Taylor sent him on his way to South Carolina.

For the next ten weeks, Taylor and Chris communicated exclusively through hand-written letters. Letters that took forever to make it through the army mail system and most often came completely out of order. Still, it was through these letters that Taylor and Chris truly got to know one another and fell in love.

Finally, Chris graduated boot camp and Taylor, along with Chris’s mother and grandmother, visited him for the celebration. But once again, after only two days together, they were separated for an additional 10 weeks. Chris made his way to Virginia for specialized training. This time, daily phone calls were permitted in between Chris’s duties, usually at the extremely convenient times of 5 AM and 5 PM. Still, Taylor never missed a call.

At last, July came and brought Chris home. Taylor was then truly initiated into his friend group at his welcome home party, proving herself with a record breaking keg stand.

From that day, the two never spent a night apart. Chris moved into Tay’s mom’s house and it didn't take long before they decided to bring home their first baby, Levi, an 8-week old German Shorthaired Pointer.

In the years to follow, Taylor and Chris rented a home in East Berlin, bought their first home in Cromwell, and found out they were expecting a baby boy!

Chris must have realized it was about time he made things official and in December of 2019 he finally popped the question. It was the easiest decision Taylor ever made.

In 2021 the family sold their well loved home and squeezed into Tay’s moms house once again before finding and settling into their forever home in Cromwell.

After about 6 months in their new house they decided it needed another occupant, cue Meadow! They couldn’t be more happy with their addition, as a complete family of 4!

It’s a long story because…. well… it’s been a long time. The start of 2024 will mark 10 years since the start of their relationship! Tay and Chris have journeyed through nearly their entire adulthoods together. Chris, hardworking, ambitious… maybe a little stubborn. And Taylor, nurturing and supportive. Together they have created a beautiful family and life. Next step, marriage!

Things to Do

Bank Street Beach

Brax Landing Restaurant

Ember Coal Fire Pizza