When We Met?
May 1, 1998

When we got Engaged?
December 24, 2001

How We Met?

Kimberly's Story:
I was at Sully's celebrating my birthday with my Bradley friends when this guy came up to me and told me I had the most beautiful smile in the whole place (yes, this is the actual pick-up line he used!). Before he left, he bravely ventured over to my table of friends and handed me an email address on a napkin. It read "callmekimberly@droopy.com". I was quite intrigued by the e-mail address so a few days later I decided to give it a try and see if it actually worked. It did! We had fun emailing each other back and forth. Then came our first date.... or lack there of. It was 2 days before graduation from BU and I decided that I would rather hang out with my friends since it was the last time we would all be together for awhile. So I actually cancelled our date an hour before hand. Even after all this, he still wanted to get together. I figured anyone this persistent deserved a chance. I had to stay in Peoria to take an additional class, so for the next 3 weeks we hung out nearly every night. When it came time for me to move back home, I didn't even give him my home phone number. I knew he had caller ID, but we had caller ID blocker! But alas, I goofed and called him from my dad's office phone. He got my phone number and the rest is history! I'm sure glad he didn't give up too easy because I can't imagine my life without him.

 

Kelly's Story:
Kimberly was out with her friends for her birthday and I saw her walking accross the room. She had the best smile ever (and still does). I gave her my email address (callmekimberly@droopy.com - It doesn't work any more). She e-mailed just to see if it was real and away we went. It was just after her college Graduation at Bradley University and she was more interested in hanging out with her friends and going home. We spent two wonderful weeks together and I gave her flowers just before she left. I got a call from her on the way home and the number did not show on my caller-id. The next few calls showed Private caller on them, too. I was distressed. Then, one day she slipped and called from her dad's office line and her number popped into my caller-id. It was all over! I called the number, got the real home number (thanks Brian!) and away we went. We've had some up's and down's but I cannot wait to marry that girl!

How we got engaged.

Kelly's Story:
I guess it's about time I write my story in here...to keep the stories balanced!
I bought the diamond for her engagement ring in February. I thought, with that out of the way, the rest would be smooth sailing. Oh, was I mistaken. It took us seven months to find a setting that she and I liked. Oh, that was painful for me to keep in that I all ready had a diamond! Every time we went out I wanted to say, "Kimberly, I have the rock, now just tell me what kind of setting you like!" But I didn't. I was calm. We would try on bands from the most simple to the absolute most gaudy things I've ever laid eyes on. You know what she said??? YUP, you guessed it!! That one's nice, that one's nice. How can a woman say there is ugly jewelry out there! I'm only starting to realize just how mesmerized these girls are over this stuff! Okay, back to the story. I bought my house around the same time, but nine months of living with the future in-laws prior to that granted me with plenty of time to stash away some dough for her goodies. Yeah, I know what your thinking; living with the pre in-laws before, that's kinda weird. It was kinda weird, but everybody knew we were always going to be together. Just think how lucky Kimberly's parents were to get to know be better before I marry their daughter! Oh, I digress. In September I asked Kimberly's dad for his blessing over our marriage and he graciously accepted me into his family. October came around and Kimberly and I were still looking for a ring. We stopped in at a local jeweler and we found a ring that we both liked! YES! We went next door to buy a pair of running shoes *wink, wink* and while she was doing that I went out to the car *wink, wink* ran next door and bought the wedding band. She did not have a clue that I was doing. Okay, maybe a small clue cause I'm not very sneaky, but still! So, that is out of the way. I stored the ring in Brian's (Kimberly's father) safe, and all is good. I had the plan from the very beginning. I knew that Christmas was my only chance to be sneaky about the engagement. So, that was it. I spoke to Kimberly's dad about the timing and he got everything setup for me. December 23rd, I told Kimberly I was going to my grandma's in Ohio and I would call her when I arrived. About ten minutes later I was resting comfortably in a motel 6 :) There was a small car accident in the middle of that, but again, I digress. I went to the flower store and asked them to get me some flowers and gave them a dollar amount. I asked them to make the bouquet small, but very well done. I think they gave me the biggest vase of flowers they had! It was not what I wanted, but it had to do. I drove over to Kimberly's aunt's house in Gurnee and waited. Brian and I, planned for 7:15, or when he called, because we planned for my grand entrance during dinner. I was so anxious and nervous that I jumped the gun and rang the doorbell at 7:10. Close enough, but Brian was a little rushed getting everybody in the dining room (and getting the video camera ready). The flowers came in first via Jim David quickly followed by me. Everybody was smiling and I pulled Kimberly aside, got down on one knee and asked if she would marry me. AND YOU KNOW WHAT SHE SAID!!! PUT ON THE RING! That's right folks. She wanted to check out the ring before she gave me her answer! Well, everything turned out well and now we are happily married 12 days :D

Kimberly's Story:
Looking back to December 2001, I was hoping we would get engaged soon, but I pretty much gave up that hope when he bought a townhouse. I didn't think he would buy a townhouse and a ring all in the same month. Besides, Kelly has a very hard time keeping surprises from me and he had not given me any indication that he was going to propose. On December 23rd he left for his Grandma's house in Ohio to spend Christmas with his family (so I thought). He even called me to let me know he got there safely after a little mishap with black-ice earlier that day. On Christmas Eve the whole Gaasrud family had assembled at my aunt and uncle's house for our annual gathering. We were about to sit down for dinner and I remember my dad acting very strange about where everyone was supposed to sit. Soon after, the doorbell rang and in came a HUGE flower arrangement for me. Moments later Kelly walked in, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him in front of my whole family. It was perfect! He completely surprised me. Did I mention how perfect it was?