10.25.25

We met for a study date at Willy T library during our freshman year at The University of Kentucky. As we talked to each other, we realized just how much we had in common. We talked and laughed for hours that day. After that, the rest is history. We were inseparable every day going forward. Connor said "I love you" a week or two later and we were boyfriend-girlfriend in a month. We were only 19 years old and so in love. We met during the second semester of our freshman year of college and then spent the rest of college together. We made so many fun memories with each other and with our family and friends. Connor graduated with a Bachelor of Education in Kinesiology Exercise Science, and Kenzie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology. Connor applied for medical school and was accepted to Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, KY. Kenzie applied for PA school and was accepted to the University of Kentucky Physician Assistant Studies Program in Lexington, KY.

Connor planned a date night to a winery in Winchester, KY on a Saturday night to celebrate Kenzie being over halfway done with PA school and to kick off clinical rotations that she would start the following Monday. Kenzie had previously mentioned to Connor that she wanted to go to this winery so she wasn't suspicious as to why he had planned a nice date. Since we had been together for 5 years at this point, Kenz figured we'd probably get engaged somewhat soon but there was no sign of a ring box in Connor's shorts or anything else suspicious (she's very observant) so she just figured it was nothing more than a nice date night. We pulled up to winery, which was called Harkness Edwards Vineyards. It was a beautiful drive out in the country and tucked away in a very old home that stood on the most gorgeous farmland. We sat outside under some trees and tasted some wines with assorted cheeses, crackers, and meats. A nice worker at the winery guided our tastings and chatted with us. It was really hot that day but the breeze made the weather so pleasant. At the end of the tasting, the worker took some pictures of us sitting down and suggested we take one standing up since that's what he usually does for other couples. Once we posed and smiled for the picture, it occurred to me (Kenzie) that I could literally hear and feel Connor's heart beating outside of his chest. Within a millisecond I became consciously aware of this sound, and in that split second I knew what he was doing. In the millisecond that I turned my head to look at him, was right when he was getting down on one knee. I instinctively let out a loud yelp because I was so shocked and couldn't believe this was my life. He was already crying his little eyes out as he asked me to marry him. He held up the most beautiful natural diamond ring and it just dazzled in the sunlight. He had my ring (with no box) hidden in his pocket the whole time. I just collapsed to him and cried, and cried, and cried. I'm a crier. I kept asking him if this was real and that I just couldn't believe it. We were on the ground crying together for around 10 minutes. Thankfully, the nice worker got lots of pictures. Right before we got up, Connor said, "I've got one more surprise for you," and I cried more and said, "Oh God I don't know if my heart can take it." Then he cried again and stumbled out the words, "Both of our families are inside waiting on us," and I lost it again. Somehow he had coordinated both of our families to be there for us, meaning there were several people who drove 5 hours to be there. I was so shocked and just couldn't believe it. Then we went inside the winery and were greeted by our families who had made the most beautiful spread of foods to eat. Everyone had drinks and chatted for awhile. I basically cried nonstop the whole evening. That was on June 29, 2024. We've been engaged for over a year now and it has been such a sweet season of life.

It's 6 years later, and now we've graduated college together and are following our dreams going to PA and medical school. We love this journey of life together and cannot wait to celebrate our marriage with all our friends and family. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting us, loving us, and being there for our big day. Love, Connor + Kenzie