It is only fitting that in the ornate and majestic setting of the Saint Thomas Moore Church in the Twin Cities that KC should first see an angel. Preparing to sing in the choir loft of the Cathedral for his friend, Troy's, wedding, looking down on the church floor below, when an angel walked in with flowing blonde hair and a smile that filled that holy space, there seemed to be a glow about her, radiating and drawing every eye to her. A friend of Becky, the bride, from her time studying music in college, Ashley was also invited to sing in the choir loft during the service. While KC did his best to focus on the ceremony and the music, it was hard to resist stealing a glance every few moments of the angel in the choir loft, her eyes bright as she sang in celebration for the love of her friend.
At the reception, KC and Ashley's tables backed up to each other, and the proximity to this newly discovered angel turned KC into a fool. His back to her table, he made a particularly boisterous show, laughing and toasting and spreading his feathers and doing all he could do to be noticed by this blonde beauty. (Spoiler alert: she never noticed any of it) And when she got up from the table, KC made a point to stop by her empty seat and meet everyone else at the table. He had a plan, you see. A foolish plan, completely abandoned by good sense, resorting to childish games. The idea - which made perfect sense in his twitterpated mind - was to be known as the life of the party, the eligible bachelor, Darcy and Gatsby and Laurie all in one. "Have you met Mr. Kenney, my my, what a gentlemen!" Silly, stupid, inane - but alas, such is love.
As the Master of Ceremonies of the Reception, KC was in a unique position to meet-and-greet people at the wedding, encouraging people to sing Christmas carols to get the newly wedded couple to kiss. It also afforded the opportunity to befriend the DJ at the event. He strove to strike a precarious balance - not to take attention away from the bride and groom in any way, shape or form, but to also take advantage of this fortuitous station to catch her eye. All in vain.
To hear her tell it, she was utterly unaware of his presence and endeavors. Ultimately, it was the simple and polite act of introducing himself that finally offered any kind of connection. Brief conversation only endeared her to him further. But with nearly an hour left to go in the evening, he noticed her putting on her coat.
"You can't leave yet!" he said, walking up to her. "I was just about to ask you for a dance."
"I'm sorry," she said, "but I have an early morning of work tomorrow."
"Please," he implored, "just one dance."
And she agreed.
"Just a moment," he said, and with a flash, he was gone. Rushing over to his new friend, the DJ, he exclaimed, "please! I need a song and I need it now!""No problem, KC," the DJ smiled. "I've got your back."
As KC returned to Ashley, he took her hand, and escorted her out on the dance floor just as the prelude to Etta James' "At Last" swelled and filled the air. And they danced, like kids at a junior high dance, space between them, talking. They spoke of future plans, of the Peace Corp, of public service.
"Why?" he asked, genuinely curious. "Why are you interested in going so far, joining the Peace Corp?"
"Well," she said, considering carefully, looking for the words, "I guess I want to be a servant of the heart."
Stunned. Overwhelmed. All he could think was no one talks like this anymore. And I've been looking for someone (else) who talks like this.
The song ended, they danced once more, maybe to the Electric Slide. And she had to go. She took her coat, thanked him for the dance, wished him well, and left.
...
...
...
It took several moments before KC realized that he had just said good-bye to one of the most fantastic women he had ever met. And another moment after that to muster the courage to chase after her.
Picture the scene. Just before midnight, late December in Minnesota. Cold, but not bitter. Street lamps were hazy in a light snow fall. The doors to the hall of the train station opened outside onto a large promenade. KC stood at the door, afraid that the doors might lock behind him if he fully ventured outside. Ashley slowly walking away, across the promenade towards the street, toward a street lamp. He called out to her and she turned, slowly. The street lamp lit her from behind, and for a moment the snow and the light created the impression of a halo around her face.
It started June 6...
Chicago.
Irish pub.
Old man on the street told us what a cute couple we were.
Walking through the fountains in Millenium Park.
Holding hands walking by Navy Pier.
Another person told us what a cute couple we were.
Sat beneath a tree while watching fireworks and listening to "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles on my iPhone.
Had two desserts at two restaurants.
Late night picnic in the park with a blanket, chardonnay and plastic glasses.
Our first kiss, standing barefoot on the grass in the park.
Driving all over trying to find a 7-11 with a bathroom.
Staying up all night to watch the sunrise on Lake Michigan.
Crossing the bridge singing Cole Porter and Gershwin.
Giving our blanket to a homeless man.
Finding my car had been towed and having to go together to the impound lot.
Traveling to Abbi's wedding
It had been planned for months...