Every love story starts in a different way. Ours started with a friendship and a kiss in the pool.

We first met decades ago at work. Over the years, we became close friends - sharing laughs, conversations, and more than a few sarcastic remarks. Time passed, life happened, and eventually… we kissed in a pool. From that moment on, something shifted. Friendship turned into love, and the adventure began.

Our relationship has been built on little things - like having a drink together while playing billiards at the bar, listening to each other vent about work, and the occasional sticky note with a supportive message, to the bigger things - attending a sporting event, graduation or wedding for a loved one, intimate weekend getaways, and plenty of quality time with family and friends.

We’ve made countless memories traveling together, from Erie, PA to Newnan, GA, Lake Placid, NY to San Francisco, Niagara Falls to Lake Tahoe, and so many places in between. Birthday trips took us to a Packers/Cowboys game in Texas, the Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament, the beaches of San Diego, and the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas.

But some of our favorite moments have been closer to home - quiet nights on the couch, planning our next vacation, watching our favorite shows (or sports), surfing the web on our phones, or just being together without saying much at all.

Football Sundays in Arizona and Pennsylvania are sacred. So are spontaneous road trips, rodeos, and time spent with our cat George and dog Copper (rest in peace).

Our hearts are especially tied to the cabin in Pinetop-Lakeside - Kathy’s favorite place in the world. So it’s no surprise that I chose it as the perfect spot to get down on one knee and propose.

We’re alike in all the best ways - our love for animals, sports, movies, and of course, each other. And we’re different in ways that keep things interesting: outgoing vs. homebody, quality foodie vs. fast foodie, and Republican vs... something.

We’ve had our share of life’s ups and downs - some sickness, some health, a car accident or two, and everything in between. But through it all, we've always supported and loved each other.

This next chapter is one we can’t wait to start - with each other, and with all of you.