My Beautiful Reward :)

I write this post on Christmas Day, 2014 - a most eventful year.  As I entered the year, I knew something special was probably on the horizon since 14 IS my favorite number, and has popped up throughout my life.  This did turn out to be true on one important and frustrating point - my love life.

Since my ex-wife left me in July of 2004, I have been on nothing short of a dating odyssey.  Thanks to the internet, it's quite easy to find someone to date - the trick in my case was was to keep them around longer than half-a-year.  I had several girlfriends in this time, and a very few I seriously thought would be "the one."  God certainly had other plans, and made sure I was prepared when the right lady did come along.

My first date with Kenna Hassellof took place on December 20, 2013.  We met at Theo's in Highland, had a great dinner, then visited Beer Geeks for a nightcap.  We hugged, parted ways, and really didn't connect again until after the New Year's.  Always a tricky thing to start dating around Christmas. Shortly after as 2014 begun, we began dating regularly, and by the end of January, if not earlier, we were an item.

The year rolled along very well.  Had a great Valentine's Day/birthday celebration in Chicago for her, dressed up for a couple of nice events, including the wedding of my cousin Colleen in April.  Then I joined Omni fitness with her, and started my first vegetable garden at my house.  We took part in Bike the Drive, and then began taking biking trips throughout the summer and fall to various locations.

Along with our burgeoning social schedule, Kenna was working to help launch a new Faith Church location in Schererville.  She already belonged to the Hammond one, and transitioned over when the opportunity arose over the summer.  I slowly kicked in, and eventually left my long-time church Bethel in Crown Point, and joined Kenna on the transitional leadership team.  It has been a fantastic time getting to know the people who call this church their home, and most especially Pastor Brett Dood who has also become a good friend.

During the first part of the year, I had the fortune of getting to know Kenna's dad, Don.  We got together on many occasions, which was easy at first since they lived together.  Eventually Don moved out to his own apartment in Merrillville where he was doing well on his own for the first time since his wife died a few years back.  Sadly in July, Don died in his apartment, and Kenna found him a few days later.  I was honored to help Kenna plan for the memorial service a month later, and looking back am very blessed to have known Don for the short time I had.

As the year rolled on, so did many more great moments.  From bike rides, to nights out, to times on the couch watching Breaking Bad, we began to bond on a very deep level.  On my birthday, Kenna planned out the entire day, which demonstrated her thoughtfulness and true love for me.  It was at this time I began planning the next step for us.

My goal has always been remarriage.  I didn't have a very good first go of it, and greatly desired another chance to make things right.  I wanted to share my love and devotion to a woman who would really appreciate it, and reciprocate these feelings as well.   As I dated, I always thought one year would be a great barometer of moving forward with someone.  Rapidly, my one year with Kenna was approaching...so the decision was clear.

I spoke with my sister first about my plans to propose to Kenna in early November.  I said I would have a few other mutual friends from church help out, and soon I put them all in touch.  They worked on ideas for the event, and all along kept quiet.  The plan was set to propose on our one-year dating anniversary of December 20th.  While they worked on the logistics, I did my part with getting the ring ready.  Thankfully I had an idea of what Kenna liked in a design, and matched that with the rock from my grandmother Renee's ring.  It made for a perfect fit, and I picked it up from my jeweler, Brad Belush, with only two days to spare.

As the day approached, so did the jitters.  The plan however laid out well, and everyone was ready to go.  On the day before, I did show off the ring to some co-workers with the expected "ooos and ahhs."  All was ready to go the day of, which involved helping first to set up the church for Sunday services.  Thankfully Kenna didn't take part, which gave me some extra time to talk to those who were helping, and to show off the ring to them.

The big night began with my picking up Kenna at 6:45pm.  I got here a dozen roses so I entered the house to get them in a vase.  We exchanged cards, then she gave me an amazing gift of a heart-shaped collage of memorable events from our first year together.  This nearly floored me - it was so well done.  We were then ready to leave for Theo's to celebrate our first year together.

When we arrived we were seated and promptly ordered the best stuff we could think of.  I had myself a juicy Kansas City strip steak, and Kenna went with the filet mignon.  We were in meat heaven! Now the plan was to drive to a gazebo on the Erie-Lackawanna Trail in downtown Highland where my sister and friends were decorating.  I would propose to Kenna in that gazebo, so I was checking my phone for any texts on their progress.  About 8pm Karen toke me they had finished decorating and were now waiting.  I didn't want to rush our meal, so about 8:30 we finished and left.

Now what I told Kenna was that we would go back to Beer Geeks like last year, and as I left Theo's she told me where it was.  Unfortunately it was the wrong direction from the gazebo, so I had to think quick and let her know that I wanted to see the Christmas lights in downtown Highland.  Thankfully Kenna agreed and we proceeded to the proposal location.

Upon arriving I noticed the gazebo with lights ringing it and told Kenna that I thought that was neat and that I'd like to visit.  Kenna agreed, so we parked and began walking to it.  I knew in the distance Karen, Jerry, Sam, Bobby, Sarah and others were watching and waiting.  When we walked in, we saw that there were candles on the bench inside, with flowers and music too.  There were also rose petals and cut-out hearts on the ground leading in.

Kenna became very curious at all of this, which at that moment I turned to her, held her hands and said the following:

"Kenna...I have had such an amazing year being with you.  I look back and think of all the great times we shared together - the many bike rides we have taken, the long walks together with Sydney, growing a garden, joining a gym with you, and having the opportunity to get to know your dad before he left us.  Of course I am most happy knowing you love Christ, and that we serve as leaders at Faith.

I have learned to know your innermost self - and I have fallen in love with that woman.  You are generous, thoughtful, intelligent, and so very sexy.  I am so blessed to have you in my life.  This year has been a turning point for me, and I truly feel my second act is now beginning.  And that said, this act would not be complete without you by my side."

At this moment, I went down to one knee with the ring box, opened it and said, "Kenna, will you marry me?"  She immediately said "I will" and I hugged her and then fit the ring on her finger.  She was quite surprised and laughing a bit.  I then signaled everyone nearby that she accepted and within seconds I see my son running up to us with a camcorder in hand.  Right after we hear all of our friends and family cheering from across the street where they were hiding.  They raced up to Kenna and hugger her.  I was shaking hands and hugging everyone as well - with both my sister and Sam crying as they did.

A few of them stayed behind to clean up the gazebo, and then we proceeded to Buffalo Wild Wings in Scherervlle (scene of our first kiss in their parking lot) for a post-proposal gathering.  We arrived and came across about a dozen more of our friends who screamed and hugged Kenna.  From there we spent the rest of the night reliving the moment over and over, and also gazing at the beautiful ring now adorning Kenna's right hand.

As I said in my speech to Kenna before proposing, I really feel my second act is now underway. Kenna and I are now talking about our wedding date, which may be in October of next year.  It is an amazing feeling to have found such a special woman whom I can experience life with.  I am as happy and as hopeful as I have ever been, and I am looking forward to a fantastic second half of life with an opportunity to truly finish strong!

Wicked Extreme New England Expedition 2014: The Last Days

(Okay, I realize I'm finishing this trip on CHRISTMAS DAY!  Give me a break...I was busy!  That said I'll do my best to remember...)

Tuesday, August 5th
Before we left Erie, we decided to drive through their downtown for a spell before moving on.  Not much to see, so we headed out for our next visit to the Cleveland area, and specifically to meet with my career mentor Rory Robinson of the National Park Service.  We made good time and arrived to meet Rory about at his office in the Cuyahoga National Park between Akron and Cleveland. We enjoyed a great lunch at a local restaurant, and then walked a bit of the Towpath Trail nearby. This path runs along the old Erie Canal, and in this certain location was a restored lock.  It was misting at the time so we didn't stay long, bid Rory adieu after visiting his office, and headed south to Akron.

Maybe I was just a bit giddy about LeBron James returning to the Cavs, but I really wanted to check out his hometown.  Nothing much to write about, but we did stumble across the old Rubber Bowl, which is on the ridge of a huge valley which includes an airfield, blimp barn and soapbox derby arena.  Looked even stranger.  The Rubber Bowl is the old stadium where the Akron Zips played their football games, and now it's in ruins.  Should be torn down, although it is in a great location. Shame.

From Akron we headed up to Cleveland for an unimpressive tour of the downtown.  Sam was not happy about it, and I wasn't either.  Nothing of real value for being a major downtown area - save for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...which looked vacant.  We quickly headed out of town, and rode up to our final stop in Port Huron, MI where I was to give the keynote address at a conference the next day.

Wednesday, August 6th 
Very interesting situation where I was booked to make this speech, and planned our trip right up against it.  Oops.  Meant I had to lug a set of nice clothes throughout the entire trip - moving it gingerly at every stop.  It did work out and only my shirt needed some ironing.  Anyhow the speech was great, and Sam actually caught a bit of it - while taking a jillion pictures.

After the speech we took a little tour of Port Huron under the massive bridge that connects to Canada across the river.  We then rode north a bit to a local county park so Sam could dip his toes into Lake Huron.  He dried up and we headed clear across the state back home, but stopping for a short time in Douglas, MI on the west coast.  There we made our way down to a small public beach surrounded by homes and trees.  We took some final photos, and then proceeded back to Crown Point...and with that 2,400 miles of priceless memories ;)