An Interview with Kevin and Debra

We thought it would be fun to put this space out to answer a few questions we know you will all have, but also to let you ask us questions. So we are posting the classic "How did you meet?" answers. Please feel free to post other questions and one of us will answer to the best of our ability :)

How did you meet?

Our friend Eric got a song stuck in his head one winters day as we were both tutors at a Rochester education center. Eric asked me to sing it, and before I really knew what was happening, I had turned the entire room into the education center sing-along. Kevin pulled up a chair across from the table I was sitting at, and I remember him putting his hands under his chin and just watching me.

A short while later, our friend Eric left for Panama and we all met for coffee and farewells. I was meeting a friend afterwards at Vertex (the local goth club, and most definitely not Kevin's scene). I asked if he wanted to go with me, he said, "Sure. Why not?" We danced. It was fun, we had coffee a few days later. We walked around Java's and the surrounding neighborhood for hours, talking and laughing. At the end of the afternoon, I told him that it was weird, because we have all these things that are in opposition, but that I liked him anyway.

Tell us... Why the bracelet? And how did you get it?

Oh, the bracelet... I have worn this silver ring from New Zealand for a few years now. I'm in love with the design, and every time I look at it, I feel happy. Who would want to replace that? As a baker, I have had experience with yeast eating through gold, despite my most careful efforts. And, my father left me a diamond when he died and that is a little bit sad. So... no gold ring, no diamonds. Now what? Mati Fielder!!!! She designed the ring and it made logical sense to ask her to design something to serve as an engagement gift. So that is just what Kevin did. I love it and it's perfect for us.

I got it, by strange coincidence, while walking around Java's cafe on a cold snowy evening in December (17th to be precise). Kevin invited me out to coffee after a long stressful week right before he was scheduled to leave for Caltech. We parked in the garage and we were walking up Scio and Main (by the sculptures) to get to Gibbs when Kevin took my hand and asked me if I remembered what I said to him on that coffee date three years ago and then he turned it right back on me, saying that it was a little weird, but he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me anyway. He got down on one knee (in the snow!) and pulled out a beautifully wrapped box containing my bracelet.

What is so great about Kevin?

Everything. :) Seriously, he is great at jumping into just about anything. As our date to Vertex suggested, there is not a lot he won't try at least once. He has taken to the chaos of my life like a fish to water and that speaks volumes!

He loves to cook and has taught me to LOVE cast iron. I have, in turn, taught him the art of sourdough (which he has excelled past my years of experience, might I add). We love to cook together and spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Kevin is kind, helpful, a great listener, brilliant, witty and charming. What's not to love?

...and Debra?

I can remember her cheering me up with song on the first day that I had taken the time to notice her at the tutoring center.  In watching her interact with her students, I saw her passion and her honesty shine through above all else.  She, too, is not afraid to try everything, especially with the aim of enriching the lives of those around her.

Debra covered my favorite thing to talk about, cooking! However, she has also introduced me to both film and music, which we regularly share together (thank you, Netflix!).  In addition, I now have a stick-shift driving, road-tripping companion with whom the ends of the Earth are reachable.

Debra is honest, loving, passionate, dedicated, and not afraid to be silly.  And, also cute and fuzzy.

Now it's your turn... Ask us a question and we'll post it and the answer here :)