Kelsie and Andrew fell hard for one other when they started working together. Andrew started work as a social worker, fresh after earning his license. Kelsie worked in admissions helping people in recovery find the right counseling and housing downstairs from where Andrew was providing counseling. They passed each other in the hallway, but it was only when they met at a Christmas party where they locked eyes. There was a lot of food at this work party. Andrew saw Kelsie with her to-go container, and thought, “what a gentle and sweet woman she is." Andrew felt that they were kindred spirits before they even spoke. She stood out more than anyone in his life, and they later discussed they felt like they had known each other for years before speaking their first words to one another. Andrew approached her, and asked "What's in your container?" It didn't matter what food was in her container; what mattered was that Andrew showed he was interested in talking with her. She thought he didn't want her to leave the Christmas party, and she was right. He wanted to spend more time with her. Later on, she emailed him, and soon emails turned to texts, texts turned into calls, and calls turned into after-work hangouts. After-work hangouts turned into Friday night dates and a hot-tub hangout. It felt wrong to spend time apart, and Andrew didn’t see the sense in sending her back to Pennsylvania.

Andrew also welcomed Kelsie’s dog, Roady, and her two cats into his life. Andrew was a committed member of a church. Their lives were already full, and although they tried to move in with each other immediately, they had to take a step back, and continue to figure out how they could merge lives. They figured it out. Although it was challenging to merge lives as they lived in two different states, they became determined to figure out how to fit the puzzle pieces of their lives together. Kelsie learned how to accept the church Andrew was a part of, and Andrew worked through fears of beginning a new relationship.

Kelsie didn't come alone, as her daughter Ary was part of the commitment. Andrew and Ary just clicked from the start, which made it a lot easier to integrate their lives.

One day, Andrew invited Kelsie spontaneously to go to Long Branch, New Jersey to see the ocean, as they both hadn't seen the ocean for some time. On their drive there, the sun shined rays through the clouds, and Kelsie later shared that she thought it was her father who had passed several years earlier, communicating to them rays of light, shining down on them that day.

Andrew said, "You and I are 35 years old. You've done a lot in your life. I've done a lot in mine as well. We've both accomplished a lot so far in our lives. But I want to do it together. Forever." Then Andrew got down on one knee, and said, "So, Kelsie. Will you marry me?"

Kelsie said, "OF COURSE!" Andrew said, "So you mean, Yes?" Kelsie laughed, and replied, "YES I'LL MARRY YOU!"

Kelsie and Andrew began to spend more time together, and explored the Hudson Valley of New York. Kelsie never explored these parts of New York which Andrew spent so much of his time. They went on a hike, and taking time away from their busy work, they realized how much they had to share through conversation, and how deeply they supported each others' wellness.

Kelsie joined Andrew and his family to Sea Isle City, New Jersey for a week on the shore. This week happened to land on the week of July 25th, Kelsie's birthday. Andrew took Kelsie out to dinner at the restaurant, La Finestra in Sea Isle City. After their dinner, they spent time at a gazebo overlooking the ocean, and watched thunder and lightning streak across the sky. They prayed together for their marriage, and expressed gratitude for all they already started to build, and would continue to share.

Andrew had spent so much of his life working on his artwork and creativity, and invited Kelsie to come to the city to go see artwork at the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Andrew was happy to share this passion with Kelsie. Kelsie would stare at the artwork of Van Gogh, Hieronymus Bosch, Monet, Renoir, and other revered artists.

They explored the medieval section, admired towering oil paintings of the depiction of Jesus Christ, painted centuries ago. They also walked through the the tombs in the Ancient Egyptian section.

Kelsie and Andrew love each other, and they didn't want to to be boyfriend/girlfriend. They both wanted the deeper commitment to be official, and Andrew wanted to be a real "stepdad". Andrew doesn't only love Kelsie. He also loves Ary, Kelsie's daughter. They wanted to have a wedding ceremony with friends and family, but they wanted to be married legally right away. So they went to Ellenville's court, and waited for their birth certificates to arrive in the mail. When they had all their paperwork in order, they were married at the town hall. They dressed up in white that day, and paraded through the streets with the knowledge that they were now officially a married couple in the eyes of the law.

They enjoyed their first Christmas together.

They both continue to work hard, and they come home to rest with one another and their pets.

They continue to merge lives and families, and their wedding will be a part of them expanding into one another’s lives.