It all started with a scratched eight ball and a mutual hatred for mac & cheese. Kaitlyn & Steve met at a work conference back in 2019 at Turning Stone Casino. During happy hour, they were teamed up for a friendly game of pool. On the last shot, Steve scratched the eight ball forfeiting the game. Kaitlyn did not let Steve forget the loss was his fault for the next two days of the event. Steve loved it. The deal was sealed later that night at dinner when the soon to be couple turned their noses at the fried mac & cheese appetizer. It was at that moment that Steve knew he had to get to know his feisty competitor better, and find the right time to ask her out. A few months later, on a half day Friday, Steve's golden opportunity came to fruition during a kayaking event with several coworkers. When Steve found out Kaitlyn was going, he knew this was it. He signed up and agreed to carpool with Kaitlyn and her friend Julia to the dock. Steve had never kayaked before. Right from the start, he fell into the river attempting to climb into his kayak. Steve thought he blew it again but Kaitlyn was kind. She laughed at him, in a caring fashion, as he swam to the dock. Even with his entire outfit soaked and ego soaked, Steve recovered. He stayed by Kaitlyn's side the entire time they were on the river. As they chatted and he learned more about her, he could feel the hooks setting in. After kayaking, and a change of clothes for Steve, the group went out for drinks. Steve knew the clock was ticking but couldn't find the right opportunity at the bar. He procrastinated and the next thing he knew, they were sitting in the parking lot at Kaitlyn's car. Julia offered to drop Steve off at his parking spot but he refused. He slowly began to trot to his car, waiting for Julia to pull away. When she did he heel turned back flagging Kaitlyn down, jogging back to catch her. She rolled her window down and immediately offered Steve a ride to his car, which he accepted. Parked behind Steve's car they both sat their awkwardly as he finally popped the question. Kaitlyn said yes but on one very important condition: no one from work could know....other than Julia who watched the entire thing unfold from a distance. Kaitlyn then raised her hand, pinky up, and the couple bound the agreement, swearing each other to secrecy.

Steve had the perfect proposal planned. Kayaking on a summer Friday, just like their “first date” four years earlier. Kaitlyn’s family would come to Rochester for a celebration dinner with Steve’s family. The dinner reservation was booked, the ring was secured in Steve’s sock drawer and everything was ready as Kaitlyn returned home from a work trip in Vegas. Then everything fell apart. On Wednesday, the forecast said rain all day Friday. Steve learned that the Genesee Waterway Center wasn’t open until a month later and that Kaitlyn wanted to leave early Saturday morning to go to Buffalo for the weekend. Back to the drawing board! Although Steve received multiple pleas from friends and family NOT to propose on a boat, he was hell bent on recreating the first date as much as possible. He wasn’t giving up on the vision he had for nearly two years of that day. A few frantic phone calls and late night research commenced for a new location. No dinner, no kayaking and no river. We would have to settle for a pedal boat on the canal at 9am before they rushed out to Buffalo. The day was here. Steve was tapping his foot waiting at the door. Breakfast was made, they were both showered and shaved, the bags were packed and he even went to Starbucks. He called out “hey babe, you ready?” It was already 8:30 am and they were running late. Kaitlyn replied “can you come zip this?” She came out in a bridesmaid dress she “needed” to try on before they left. Steve almost lost it, but kept it relatively cool. Fast forward and we were on the dock at the golf course. The romantic pedal boat vessel was filled with rain water from the night before, covered in goopy green algae and half sunk into the canal while it teetered on the dock. Kaitlyn was not impressed as her outfit was not suited for the grimy conditions. As Steve scrambled to clean out the boat, the sun and heat continued to climb. This made Steve’s outfit which was a thermal under armor quarter zip with front pouch pocket, seem very out of place. Thankfully, Kaitlyn was more focused on keeping her new leggings clean and catching some rays to enhance her tan. As they began their voyage, Steve realized another major error, how slow pedal boats go against the current. The plan to propose near the Spencerport village bridge 2 miles away which would take them about 5 hours at the pace they were able to sustain. So scrap that too. As their legs pumped profusely, sweat beading down their heads, Steve tried to make sporadic small talk about Kaitlyn’s trip to Vegas, the weekend ahead in Buffalo and their upcoming trip to Disney. Kaitlyn happily shared her experiences and gushed over the fun future events to come. As she did, Steve continually nodded and mmmhmmed while scanning the canal pathway for a spot to pop the question while passersby were around. Then there it was! The “perfect” moment alone, next to some half sunken logs in the most random spot on the canal. Kaitlyn had just exclaimed “I can’t wait for this weekend in Buffalo with my family, it’s going to be perfect”. To which Steve responded “do ya know what would make it even better….will you marry me?” They both stopped peddling. Kaitlyn was in shock, staring at the ring Steve just pulled out of his front pocket. The boat started spinning in circles as the current pulled them backwards. They kissed, she slipped on the ring to admire it in the sunlight and then she said yes. In that exact order.