...At least that's what I told myself. Now if you asked me that about my last small group, I may tell you a different story. I made the decision to Co-Lead a 30's/40's Small Group at Church about 2 years ago. I was very confident in my relationship with God and finally at a place where (although I still wanted to be married), that was enough. So when Kevin walked into our Small Group a year later, I thought nothing of it. Interesting guy, but not a love interest. Kevin quickly became an active member of the group and even started coming to all our social gatherings. (Maybe he liked me all along....hmmmm) Last Memorial Day weekend, I invited the group to a friend's pool party. Well guess who was the ONLY one who showed up? Kevin. He stayed for a long time and we really got to talking. I saw I side of Kevin I hadn't seen before, a sweet romantic side. Was Kevin flirting with me??? The evening progressed and next thing you know Kevin is planting one one me...and I guess you can say the rest is HISTORY!

From Kevin: For the longest time, Elissa always wondered why I would show up late to her house for things during August and September. What I was doing was trying to find her the perfect ring to buy her (she already let me know what she wanted). I had to get one made. The last thing I needed to figure out is how to propose and an opportunity to ask her mother for permission. Unfortunately, the first opportunity came at a very difficult time in Elissa's life. When her first dog Frankie passed away, Jan came up to be with us. I did find time to ask for Elissa's hand in marriage that weekend and Jan graciously gave me her blessing! Little did either of the ladies know that I already had a place and date figured out! The night before I asked Jan for Elissa's hand, we were at Pawley's Island Tavern and I wrote on a one-dollar bill the date 11/30/19 and "Elissa I hope you see this one day." Well, the day finally came! The Saturday after Thanksgiving we had plans to see Biltmore and stay in Ashville, NC for the night. We had a wonderful time seeing the Biltmore and grounds, the ring box that was in my sock since the morning was getting very uncomfortable, so I just needed a place to do pop the question. Luckily for me, the place presented its self. As we were walking up to the Biltmore at night I knew then, THIS IS THE SPOT!!! I was just so excited the entire tour to take Elissa to the spot and ask her to marry me. It then starts to rain..... what should I do now? Well fortunately for me an opportunity for me appeared in the form of a comment from Elissa earlier that evening... "Kevin we need to get a picture of the house from here with the lights." So in the pouring rain, I made Elissa walk up to that spot that will now forever be in my heart. As much as she protested I did not give in to her demands that we needed to get a bus or not walk in the rain. And to see the annoyance disappear and the sheer joy come over that beautiful face is something that I will never forget.