From Kelsey's Perspective: This is one part we see eye to eye on - we met in 8th grade at a mutual friend's birthday party. I was sitting on a hill with my then boyfriend when he sat down to hang out. Brian was new to the area, but that didn't stop him from already becoming one of the "popular" kids. We always ran in similar circles, but it was sophmore year - AP Euro that sealed the deal for us. Bonding over our terrible teacher, it was clear to see our story was just beginning. He asked me to be his girlfriend (the first time) on October 5th, 2007! From Brian's Perspective: My first memory of Kelsey Burden is meeting her at a friend's birthday party in 8th grade. She was sitting on the hill with her 8th grade boyfriend, that beautiful smile still coming through her braces. It would be two more years until I got the nerves to ask her out, but right then and there she left a lasting impression on me that would stick with me for the rest of my life.

From Kelsey's Perspective: Since we were 15, I knew my and Brian's connection was something special. While we never seriously dated again, we always stayed in touch. In 2016 I was back in Haymarket for Election Day and we met up to get drinks; I was in a relationship at the time, so this was just one of our casual 'catch-ups'. We had a GREAT time. We've always been good friends, had easy banter, and now it seemed we were finally old enough to really appreciate one another. We made plans to catch up again around Christmas and in that month, my boyfriend and I broke up, so I was very excited to see Bri again. When we got back together for drinks that second time, he had a friend with him, which I thought was a little odd. We get to talking and Brian politely asks how my boyfriend is doing. I respond with, "oh, we actually broke up." Brian immediately responded with, "I'd like to date you!". Turns out - his buddy, Andrew, was only there to prevent Brian from doing anything stupid! We've been together ever since! From Brian's Prespective: Kelsey and I dated on and off through High School, always coming back to one another. The first time I asked her out sophomore year was in a fortune cookie I gave to her at a local burger joint because she didn't like chinese food. We drifted apart when we went to college, both doing our own thing and living our lives, but we always remained in contact. We met up for drinks on election day in 2016, Kelsey a young professional put together so well preparing for a cruise with her then boyfriend, and me a 1st year teacher with a scraggly beard still living at home. I fell in love all over again. So much so that the next time she wanted to get drinks I made my Best Man, Andrew, come with me to ensure I didn't do anything stupid. She mentioned her and her boyfriend had split, and I immediately cut her off to tell her I wanted to date her. After proving my worth she finally gave in, and we have been inseparable ever since.

From Kelsey's Perspective: When my mom suggested a 4th of July BBQ, I thought nothing of it - it sounded fun! Turns out that Brian's parents and Grammy were all going to be in town that weekend too (again, thought nothing of it). Little did I know, everyone was carefully crafting this idea to create the perfect proposal! At the BBQ I was (again) tricked into going outside where Brian and I started to walk around to my parent's backyard, and everyone was able to sneak a peek from the sunroom. Brian got down on one knee and said the words I had been waiting to hear for 13 years, "Will you marry me?" From Brian's Perspective: I wrestled with ideas on how to ask Kelsey to be my wife. In high school I was known to go all out with the Prom and Homecoming requests so my ideas went to a big 4th of July setting under the fireworks in front of family and friends, but that's ME not US. I ended up taking her to her favorite place in the world, her childhood home under the pretense of a 4th of July cookout because, America. With the help of our amazing family and friends, we walked through her backyard, everyone waiting inside, I got down on one knee, and told her that even though it took me a little longer than it took her, she was my only love and I wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.