Fate and a brilliant dating app known as "Bumble" brought Kelsey & JR together the summer of 2018. After tirelessly scrolling through a sea of unworthy candidates and going on several disappointing dates with Sacramento's finest (sarcasm), the stars finally aligned one day. JR caught Kelsey's attention with his non-receding hair line, straight teeth, and his adorable dog, Bailey.
She made the first move and the chemistry was instantaneous. After a couple days of witty banter on the app, they decided to meet up for their very first date at Urban Roots, a hip brewery & BBQ spot in Sacramento. JR put on his first-date swag, rocking a pair of bright blue Dad shorts paired with some epic lime green Nike's. Kelsey casually showed up 30 minutes late. JR walked Kelsey home that night, and kissed her goodnight, on the cheek. At that point, she knew he was a gentleman and decided she would grant him a second date.
The next date was on the 4th of July. JR begged Kelsey to ditch her work party and join him at the Sacramento river to watch the fireworks. They tailgated in the back of Kelsey's Jeep, listened to some oldies and JR cracked a series of inappropriate jokes throughout the evening. Kelsey knew that night that she would be keeping him around for a while. The couple shared their first kiss under the glowing sky, and from that day forward, they were inseparable.
I guess you can say that it was love at first swipe.
For those of you that know Kelsey, she hates surprises and is definitely someone who likes to be in the know about everything. Combine that with the fact they spend nearly every moment together, with any cagey moment from JR, Kelsey turned into Sherlock Holmes with her interrogative questioning.
Planning a proposal? Good luck. That’s why Saturday, December 14th was extra unnerving for JR. In the Oakland area for Kelsey’s work holiday party the day prior, and with no other opportunity to get the ring before the planned December 27th proposal, he had to get to the ring appointment with Kelsey in tow without her and without her knowing. Haha yeah, good luck.
Fortunately, the weather in SF was radiant that day and it gave JR an excuse: “Let's go to SF, check out Fort Mason, enjoy the weather and the views.” Kelsey didn’t find the suggestion odd, they had talked about visiting SF from the time they met and had not yet done it. Step one, go to SF. Check.
After Fort Mason, and with some time to kill before meeting Kelsey's friend Maia, JR suggested to check out the holiday festivities and decorations at Union Square to maybe do a little holiday shopping. Okay, now Kelsey was starting suspecting something. Why would JR want to go to the zoo that is Union Square during the holidays. She was RESISTANT, but she reluctantly acquiesced. After about one hour trying to park and only 20 minutes shopping, she was especially sensed something was up when JR ditched her in an Urban Outfitters and told her to meet him in an hour. “Fine, I’ll just go to Nespresso, ” Kelsey said. Sensing an opportunity, because she had asked for a Nespresso for Christmas, “Maybe not there…” JR Replied. She thought he was going to buy her a Nespresso for Christmas, “Man, I am brilliant and lucky,” JR thought to himself. Off to Brilliant Earth he went. Kelsey a different direction.
While JR sat at a diamond cabinet trying to remember what the three C’s meant, Kelsey wandered her way through retail shops theorizing about what JR was up to. She knew Brilliant Earth was nearby, as was a well-known diamond wholesaler. Seeking confirmation, she texted her reliable sounding board and Maid of Honor Human Dumpster… (this is most likely how that conversation went)...
Kelsey: “Dude, JR is acting weird. I feel like he’s getting me a ring. But he told me not to go to Nespresso, so maybe he’s just going there.”
Dumpster: “He's totally getting you a ring!!! Eek so exciting!! About damn time.”
Kelsey: “You think so?”
Dumpster: “Then again, maybe he is getting you a Nespresso. I don't even know dude”
Kelsey: “You're probably right. Just wishful thinking I guess."
Little did Kelsey know, Dumpster was in on it the whole time. She played it a little cavalier for JR's liking but apparently she knows your girl, because that reverse psychology and little seed of doubt she planted in Kelsey’s head was just enough to help throw her off the trail.
When JR met back up with Kelsey after the appointment, she noticed that he didn’t have any boxes from Nespresso. “Did you even go to Nespresso?” Kelsey asked. Not realizing his omission until that very moment, JR hastily replied “Maybe, maybe I just had them shipped to the house so you wouldn’t know what I got.” Setting the stage for the precursor of many successful proposals and marriages. A series of bold lies and panicked untruths to the one you love, frantically strung together in a clunky effort to cover your tracks, while you eagerly prepare to ask the most important question of your life.