Kate: It had been a long day and was nap time for Kibbee (family friend who was 2.5 yrs old at the time). She wouldn’t stay asleep or in bed without “Kake” right there - and she needed that nap - so “Kake” was trapped. For a while I had been going back and forth about trying online dating and that day, during nap time I decided to just do it. A few days later Alan sent me a message. And the rest is history.

Alan: Kate’s radiant smile immediately caught my attention when I saw her dating profile. We started messaging back and forth and within a week, I asked her out on a date to my favorite restaurant. We immediately clicked, and I felt like I could talk to her forever (and I still do!). I knew I had to see her again, and so I was quick to make plans to see her as soon as I was back in town. And the rest is history.



Alan: We spent Christmas in Ohio and went to see The Christmas Carol play at the Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square in Downtown Cleveland with my family. I purchased a thinner box so it wouldn’t be as noticeable in my pocket, but still figured Kate would see it at some point. I think she was too busy drooling over all the architectural details in the theatre and figuring out how some of it was recreated during the renovation/restoration. (It is a 1921 Historic Theatre building with 5 theaters inside.)



Kate: After the show Alan’s sister wanted to take family pictures. I didn’t think anything of it. I helped take the pictures and was then told it was mine and Alan’s turn, still clueless because nothing seemed out of the ordinary. (Before we left for Ohio Alan and I exchanged Christmas gifts.) When I turned to face the camera Alan turned me back towards him and said, “I have one more Christmas present for you…” then dropped down to his knee.