Annie was moving with her family and was needing help. Her friends Corey and Tera Ertz’s son, Kenny, had just moved to Williamsburg from Florida. They offered his help. Annie was happy for the help. Kenny made Annie laugh for real for the first time in a long while. He set her at ease as she told him about the rough year she had. Annie set his heart on fire with her dark humor but honestly her heart. However, Kenny had to wait for the right moment. One night Annie went to the Ertz’s for dinner. The sparks were flying as they played Phase 10. But still, Kenny waited even though he didn’t want to. Annie felt at home with the family. Becoming friends with Ammy (Kenny’s sister) and her kids. Kenny started to check in on Annie more frequently via text. Annie was confused. Not because she didn’t want the attention but rather because she was conflicted. Kenny is younger (and didn’t understand why he was flirting with someone so much older), and she is a widow very much in love with her late husband. They started to talk more and more. They played Cards Against Humanity with Ammy and they held pinkies. Kenny deliberated with their mutual friend, Erik. Erik said “Go out with her but as friends.” So they went out, as friends, but by themselves, to Jamestown. His heart racing out of his chest, he was so carefully not to overstep, but wanted nothing more than to show her all he desired was her. They didn’t even hold hands, but after they left Jamestown, they went to dinner. Progressively, she was more comfortable with him, opening up, telling him all about herself. And he was soaking it all in. He couldn’t believe a woman such as herself would give a guy like him a chance. He took her home that night, around 7:30-8. They stayed in her driveway till 12:30, before exhaustion overcame the both of them. On the way home, he knew he was in trouble. That smile, that laugh, even in the midst of everything that had happened in her life, was something he could no longer see himself without. Soon they were inseparable. Where one was the other wasn’t too far behind.

Annie got off work early due to rain, and Kenny picked her up. They went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. In the store Annie saw a whale plushy and went up to Kenny and said “I whale-y love you!” All the while smooshing it to his face. The clerks said he needed to buy the whale and he did. The weather cleared and Kenny decided to go to Jamestown Settlement. It was at this moment, Annie knew that he was up to something. In fact she had known for over a week that he was up to something. (Kenny has no poker face). They sped their way through the museum, and made it to the pier. Which coincidentally was where they had their first real deep conversation. They toured one of the ships, and then went to end of the pier. Kenny was so nervous Annie could feel his heartbeat through his chest. Kenny kept whispering to all the guests to go away. When he finally felt that they were alone enough, he got on his knee and asked “Anna Catherine Herschell Noon, will you please do me the honor of marrying me?” Through tears and laughter she accepted his proposal. The boat interpreters were the first to congratulate the couple. They walked them off the pier and suggested a wedding venue or two. We announced our news to our family and friends. And the rest is history.