our story

We met at a happy hour at Copper Vine and talked on the second floor balcony upstairs. I still remember that day well! Kelly was showing off the architectural renderings off the Dog House, and I remember thinking the concept was cool even then. It’s crazy to think how far we and she have come since that day, and I am very proud of her.

I still don’t know how I pulled LBT off, but I am glad I did! Not only did Kelly have to overlook my high kicks she probably had to physically dodge them as well. I am grateful that she chose not to mention my karaoke performance on our first date…

Kelly’s Side

HOW WE MET

We originally met at a happy hour with YLC (young leadership council). The conversation wasn’t anything fancy. It was your standard networking conversation discussing our jobs and what we do.

A few weeks later we ran into each other again at Le Bon Temps! Let’s just say, Gordon was a little less inhibited, showing off his questionable dance moves. I looked past his high kicks and gave him my number and we haven’t stopped talking since!

Over the next 4 years, we grew both as people and as a couple. Kelly opened up The Dog House and Gordon received his MBA from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. This time was filled with lots of travel and vacations, saints games, yummy dinners and drinks, and lots of laughs and mischief!

THE PROPOSAL

I originally thought about proposing on a vacation, but as soon as I got the ring plans in motion I couldn’t wait! I wanted to do it in a place that was special for her, so the business she built was a no-brainer.  There were a lot of moving parts with her friend and sister’s flying in, and I didn’t have a rain plan, so I definitely got lucky here. I got help from a lot of places for which I am very grateful. Her sister had some very cute napkins made, and her brother in law was able to make the dinner reservations while I was travelling for work in Europe. Also Kelly’s staff were all on board and went above and beyond to help us (including her bar manager chasing some innocent guests out of the chairs I wanted us to sit in right before we arrived)!

Man what a great day! I would not change a thing if I had a do-over.

We actually got engaged on Gordon’s birthday! I should have questioned the event more when he wanted to go have a drink at my bar before his birthday dinner. I should have questioned it even more when he wanted to go sit in the park and not hang out at the bar like we usually do. I DID begin questioning when my best friend who lives in New York was sneaking around the front windows of the bar. 

He proposed in the front patio of my bar, and after we went to Clancys for a celebratory dinner with both families and said non-sneaky friend. I think we went to Le Bon Temps after? Or maybe Ms Maes? I know we went to both during the weekend with all the celebrations!