Kelly the Culinarian: Our Engagement Story

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Our Engagement Story

Hi Internet. Welcome to the personal life I don't talk much about until now. As many have noticed in my post yesterday from Circular Logic, I was wearing a ring on a very important finger that wasn't there a few days ago.

Before (not engaged)/After (totally engaged)
Wonder no more, stalkers and friends. Meet Brent - the one I never want to stop running with. I'm over the moon to share that I got engaged to the love of my life mid-marathon Saturday. There's a ton of significance to this race- it's run in rings, the medal is a circle that never ends, we've done this race together three times, we met while training for this race.


I didn't see this coming. I was pretty self-absorbed leading up to this race, worrying about if my body could cover this distance. I didn't notice Brent packed three pairs of shorts and got more worked up than normal that we were missing safety pins. I also didn't notice that he was restless the whole night before the marathon, or spent the first 24 miles of our jog tapping his pocket to see if some very precious cargo was secured to the inside of his running pocket with a safety pin.

By the end of this race, I was a mess. We had to walk because I was wiped out. I still wanted to quit at mile 23, but that wouldn't make a very good proposal story. We were rounding our very last lap, very slowly, when we made it to the marker for mile 0.0. The beginning. He stopped, took my hand and bent down. I was very confused - I could see the finish line, why were we stopping.

I heard the words: "Kelly Mahoney, will you marry me?" I was overjoyed. I couldn't process it. It was happening! I didn't even see the ring as I put it on my frozen and swollen fingers. I saw our future. One that's happy and active and loving and supported.

You see, Brent has been there for me in ways big and small. He took care of me after my bone marrow transplant, flying in overnight to be there for the surgery. He copy edits my blog. He's the puppy minder when I'm away and sends me on my business trips with sweet notes to remind me of home. He's led me into the world of craft beer. His family has welcomed me with open arms. He's challenged me to build my business and make smart career moves that have resulted in a comfortable, happy life of balance. He's the fixer of all the things I break around the house and the builder of my confidence.

He sees me in a way no one else does, and shows me how good life could be. My career, running and essence is better because of him. I used to think it was corny and a punchline to call your partner your better half, until it happened to me.

Visiting Memphis, Chicago Auto Show, office holiday party
I said yes, obviously, we kissed and the moment sunk in. We jogged off to the finish line that will be one of many in our future together.

Thank you for showing me what love is and can be. Thank you for seeing in me what was always there but I never recognized. Thank you for choosing me.

Here's the start of the rest of our lives.

Photo by Appelman Images

12 comments:

Anne said...

YAYYYYYYY!!!!! I'm so very happy for you both! I saw Brent's post about the proposal on FB while getting ready for the Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday morning and admittedly, got a little teary-eyed (was someone cutting onions in my hotel room?) because it was just so, so sweet. You two have already gone through so much together, and I think finishing that marathon is a perfect analogy for how two people should go through life. Together, side-by-side, cheering each other on. Congrats to you both!!!

Lauren @ Lauren Runs said...

Yayyy!!!! I love it! So glad to finally get to learn a little more about what's been going on behind the scenes! :)

Pete B said...

Congrats!!

Maggie W said...

Congratulations!!! So happy for you guys.

I love this: He sees me in a way no one else does

It's so beautiful when you find someone like that :)

Katie @ Live Half Full said...

Damn you, you made me cry! :) Oh and congrats!!!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh. Congratulations!! :) :)

Unknown said...

Congrats, Kelly! Here's to finding your partner for the long-haul in the endurance sport that is life :-)

Unknown said...

Over the moon happy for you both!! You deserve all the happiness. Such a strong woman and what a story. XO

Unknown said...

Over the moon happy for you both!! You deserve all the happiness. Such a strong woman and what a story. XO

Amanda said...

Tear! So happy for you!!

erin said...

What a beautiful proposal! So happy for you! Congrats!

Kelly @ Running Kellometers said...

Congrats to you guys! I thought I had posted a comment on this several weeks ago but it looks like it never went through. You so much deserve to be happy. :)