We’re Getting Married

In March of 2023, both Kasey and Dillon were one foot out the door of the dating app world; both contemplating deleting the app, again. Sometime just after St Patrick’s Day in 2023 they matched on Tinder. The courtship was quick. After just a day or two of messages, Kasey suggested that she had some free time for breakfast on a Sunday. Dillon was like, yeah that sounds good. He asked around and suggested The Place to Be in Lakewood. On 3.26.23, Kasey walked to the restaurant, it was like 60 degrees and sunny. She was about right on time to the diner. She got a table for 2. Dillon always late, was relatively on time just a few minutes behind. However, The Place to Be is a fast paced diner. They told Kasey that if her date didn’t show up soon she would have to give up the table! Right on cue, Dillon walked in a little disheveled from his buddy Adam’s 30th birthday party the night before. It was the fastest enjoyable first date ever. They ate and chatted. A still unknown person paid for their meal. After a quick breakfast, Kasey walked Dillon to the parking lot for an awkward good bye. When Kasey got home she texted Dillon his number. On 3.30.23, they had their 2nd date at Wagon Wheel in Parma. Kasey, always the dotting daughter even paused the date to call her dad on his 60th birthday! They shared a quick first kiss in the parking lot by Kasey’s jeep. Their 3rd date was on 4.2.23. Kasey went to Dillon’s house for dinner. He either made pork chops or ribs. His go to meals to cook. When Kasey left that evening to go home, she called her friend, Megan to tell her that this one was special. After three dates in a week, they didn’t see each other much in April because of a lot of travel between the two of them. A few dates here and there as Kasey went to Sedona for her 30th birthday and Dillon went to a bachelor party in Miami. In early May, Kasey went on a cruise for a bachelorette party. When she came back she knew it was time to be exclusive. There is some debate as to when they became an official couple. Kasey will state some time in early May. Dillon will say late May of 2023 when he officially asked her to be his girlfriend. Three weeks after Kasey told him he couldn’t see any one else. Dillon started to met Kasey’s friends and family at a guardians game for Ally’s birthday. Kasey met Dillon’s family over Memorial Day weekend. In late June, Kasey tricked Dillon into saying I love you first, asking if he would like her even with lobster claws for hands. He stated yes, I would still love you with lobster claws for hands. About a week or so later, after dragging Dillon on their first trip, she said I love you, too. Their first bit of travel was to visit Alex in Minnesota. Toting Ally along, they spent 13 hours in a car one way together even though they had only known each other for three months. From July 2023 until fall of 2024 they continued to date, blissfully. Together over the that time they traveled to the Finger Lakes, Ellicotville, South Carolina, Columbus, and hocking hills. They went to the beach, the drive in, golfing, weddings, breweries, wineries, sporting events, and of course skiing. They also just enjoyed cooking together and watching TV at home. They just enjoyed being together. That fall about 1.5 years after meeting is when Kasey first brought up getting married. They would dream of their life together and she would show him rings she liked. Dillon wanted to continue with the fun times. Why change such a good thing?

Prior to their ski trip to Colorado in January of 2025, Kasey started getting serious about wanting a ring. Dillon panicking, he would state things like but we haven’t even been together 2 years. They began planning a project in Kasey’s attic so Dillon and his cat could move to Lakewood, because Kasey doesn’t want to live in Parma. March and their 2 year anniversary passed. Kasey was dropping more and more hints. They went to Niagara on Lake for Kasey’s birthday, and nothing. The summer continued and Kasey’s anticipation grew. Kasey would tell anyone she asked that if it didn’t happen soon she would propose to herself In September, Dillon suggested that they look at rings together. Initially, Kasey was disappointed, but honestly she had so much fun and would highly recommend the activity to any couple. Kasey began planning and waiting. October, November, December came and went. Kasey growing more and more frustrated. Kasey would spend hours cooking elaborate meals for Dillon. Her hopes that his happy belly would get him on one knee. Kasey had taken them to look at Christmas lights pausing randomly for long periods. As she stared for no reason, she would stand there and wait for Dillon to confess his undying love. Every time Dillon was at her house without her working in the attic she expected to walk into a candle filled home with him waiting for her ring in hand. She talked incessantly for 2 weeks about going out and walking on the frozen lake. What a unique experience, a perfect spot for a proposal. It seemed to Kasey that he would never get the hint.

In January of 2026, after a year of not so subtle hints from Kasey, Dillon was ready. He got the perfect ring ready to propose on a ski trip to holiday valley. He couldn’t pick up the ring until the got back. A few weeks later on a snowy day, he suggested they get breakfast. Kasey said yes, but she didn’t want to go to The Place to Be. They don’t serve alcohol, and she wanted a Bloody Mary. The next week Dillon got a small bonus from work. He suggested that they go out to a nice dinner. But of course, Kasey said no. They were going to Mardi Gras in 3 days! Save that Money! On 2.11.26, they flew to New Orleans, the day Kasey had planned was not going well. They woke up at 4am. Her phone was basically dead the whole day, with chargers buried in the bottom of her luggage. A group of elderly adults were on an outing from their home taking 45 minutes to order Beignets while Kasey and Dillon waited in a stifling line. The street car app wasn’t working and they spent 30 minutes waiting for a ride that never came. Dillon made a friend in a stranger that may or may not have been unhoused and would not leave them alone for an hour. The stranger did not like silence even more than Dillon. They got rained on for 15 minutes when they were no where near shelter walking around the city. As they were walking this day, Dillon repeatedly asked Kasey when were they going to a nice part of town. If you were wondering, New Orleans is fun with some unique architecture. They would recommend going at some point. However, it is dirty, grimy, the air is thick, most buildings have water damage. It’s not a pretty place. The day did turn around at like 2pm. They walked the Garden district, had lunch at The Turkey and the Wolf, walked magazine street stopping at some fun bars for happy hour on their way back to the French Quarter. They walked along the Mississippi River. Dillon suggested asking a couple to take our picture. Kasey said no, we don’t need that. Your family will be here to take photos of us tomorrow. They had flown, gotten rained on, and walked about 10 miles so far. Kasey was not in the mood for photos. They crossed the street to Jackson Square. Dillon insisted on asking a group of ladies to take their photo. He asked the woman, telling her something. The woman got so excited and her eyes got big. Kasey knew what was happening. She stood there waiting for Dillon to return. He didn’t even pose for a photo. He walked over and got down on one knee. Instantly, Kasey began nodding yes. Dillon said, Kasey Jones, will you marry me. Of course, Kasey said yes. He tried to put the ring on, but it didn’t fit. Kasey tried to force it on, but decided to put it on her pinky. They kissed and the people in the crowd clapped. They got their phone and a video sent to them, thanked the ladies who took the pictures, and shuffled along on their way through the French Quarter. They agreed it was an awkward experience. The rest of their trip was wonderful. They could not be happier to eventually move in together and become one family. They cannot wait to celebrate with you all on their big day.