I was helping my friend care for the dog up for auction at the Mane Event for STM back in 2012. Low and behold, the Kallsens won Lily! They proceeded to spend the rest of the evening telling me all about their son, Taylor and really thought I should meet him sometime…I’ve been told they went home and told Taylor all about me too.
When my parents came home, they told me they met the most amazing girl at the Mane Event. That came even before they mentioned the dog they were holding in their hands. Yay, Lily! (Here's a picture of them together and all grown up)
"Do you know Nina Kelley?" my parents asked. "Nope," I replied. "You should meet her; she seems like a very nice girl," said my mom. "She has a great smile," said my dad. Like every teenage boy receiving advice from their mom and dad, I dismissively said, "Okay." And that was that.
I spent the year occasionally running into Taylor. I was invited to his 16th birthday party, not by him, but by his family friend's daughter so that there would be more girls at the party - at the request of Mrs. Kallsen. The awkwardness, in all its glory, pictured here. We also went bowling once with one of his friends and I brought Ellie (co-maid of honor). It was incredibly uncomfortable. I went to more Regis basketball games than I ever had before, trying (but pretending not to try) to make eye contact with Taylor on the bench, thinking he wasn't noticing me. Only several years later did I find out he was looking over at me too. It's a good thing I'm patient.
I finally got the courage to ask Nina to homecoming. Thinking I was so smooth, I had the flowers waiting for her downstairs. It was a special night, with one horribly awkward picture. I still cringe to this day looking at it.
As for Nina and I, we haven't skipped a beat since that moment. 9 years later and she's still not sick of me. I guess I'll keep her! Cheers to forever, bug! I love you!
Parisi is our favorite restaurant of all time! I've been going since I could chew solids and it's where Taylor first met my family so we use every excuse to go when we have the chance. Taylor was coaching a basketball game at the high school across the street and our plan was always to pop over for dinner whenever he coached at this school so I was none the wiser. Somehow Taylor stayed calm as a cucumber throughout dinner so I didn't expect anything. We walked outside to take a classic selfie by the Parisi sign (something we always do) and suddenly after putting our leftovers down, I turned around to Taylor down on one knee!! He then surprised me with a party at home with some of our favorite people in the world. I am SO LUCKY! Let the countdown begin!