Chris and Kelly’s Story

Chris and Kelly met in 1992 in Silverthorne, Colorado while working together at the Nike Factory Store. It was a rather chance meeting as Kelly had moved to Colorado in 1991 after high school and Chris moved there in 1992 after college. Kelly was dating someone at the time so her relationship with Chris was limited to a work-focused friendship. From the moment they first met, however, neither Kelly or Chris could deny that they were smitten with each other. The time they spent together at work became more magical everyday. The more they got to know each other, the more they found they had in common. This really was a match made in heaven.

Colorado - 1992

Respect for the “rules of courting” and for the work place prevented the two from being “more than friends” during their time in Colorado. However, when Kelly moved back home to Saginaw, Michigan in late 1992 and Chris moved back home to Buffalo, New York in early 1993, the couple expressed their deeper feelings about one another. In fact, it was on Valentines Day in 1993, when Chris drove to see Kelly in Michigan and meet her family for the first time, that they officially started dating.

By August of 1993 things were in full swing and Chris and Kelly decided to put an end to their long-distance relationship. Kelly moved to Buffalo to be with Chris and to go to college. Both Chris and Kelly juggled many things and worked hard during this time to make ends meet, but they enjoyed the time together regardless. One of the biggest highlights during this time was when they adopted their first dog, a golden retriever named Cosmo.

With Cosmo in Buffalo - 1995

After two years in Buffalo, they moved to Dallas, Texas in August of 1995 so that Chris could attend Southern Methodist University and get his M.B.A. During their time in Dallas, Kelly decided to stop going to school and focus on a career in the restaurant business, which until that time had been a part-time endeavor. Kelly found tremendous success in this field taking management positions with several prominent restaurants in the area, including the marquee restaurant at Marriott’s prestigious Renaissance Hotel. Chris also found success in Dallas, graduating from S.M.U. with honors and taking a position with a division of American Airlines called The Sabre Group.

At the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas - 1997

During this time, one of Chris and Kelly’s favorite things to do was to “steal away” together for a weekend get-away. Taking full advantage of the benefit of Kelly’s discounted rooms from Marriott and Chris’s discounted flights from American Airlines, they traveled all over the United States, including Florida, Colorado, Palm Springs, Napa Valley and Boston.

The ultimate highlight of this time in their relationship was when they were married in August of 1997. It took place in Kelly’s parent’s backyard in Michigan and everyone who was there can attest to the fact that is was both a joyous occasion and magnificent celebration

Wedding - 1997

The wedding celebration was followed up with an amazing ten-day honeymoon in St. Thomas. Two of the major highlights of this trip were the sunset sail they took together and when they went deep-sea fishing and Kelly caught a 5 foot shark.

With Her Shark in St. Thomas - 1997
	Sailing in St. Thomas - 1997

 

Chris and Kelly stayed in Dallas for four years until Chris was recruited to First USA Bank in Wilmington, Delaware in 1999. While both Kelly and Chris enjoyed their time in Dallas and made many, many friends, they missed the fall seasons and white Christmases they remembered from their childhoods. So, the move to Delaware was a welcome change. Chris and Kelly instantly took to their new surroundings, building their first house together and making many new friends.

Although not having the benefit of discounted hotel rooms or airline tickets, Chris and Kelly still liked to travel. However, now it was mostly to visit with friends and family. Some of the major trips during the three-year stretch between 1999 and 2002 included visits with family in Florida, a friend’s wedding in Portland, another friend’s wedding in Colorado and skiing with friends in Utah.

Siesta Key With Dad, Cindy and Heidi - 2000	Siesta Key with Mom and Cindy - 2001
With Bobbie - 2001	With Bobbie - 2002
Portland with John - 1999	Colorado - 2000
Utah with Jen and Pete - 2002	Utah with Pete - 2002

Tragically, the good times came to a crashing halt and both Chris and Kelly’s lives were turned upside down when Kelly was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September of 2002.

More about Chris and Kelly’s story can be read in the forthcoming book that Chris is writing called “Whatever It Takes,” however, the following is an excerpt from this book focusing on Kelly's diagnosis.

Link to Book

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