How We Met

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Darren and Chelsea's story starts years before the Summer of 2021. Chelsea's brother Brad and Darren had become close friends, even living together for a period of time. During their friendship,  Brad would bring Darren to family events, including the annual Drummer Fish Fry. So while their paths had crossed several times, the timing was never right for Chelsea and Darren to be anything other than friends.

By July of 2021, the circumstances had changed. During that year's fish fry, the two had an opportunity to talk more and Chelsea left Kentucky that year with Darren on her mind but not sure what the next move should be. She called her brother to get the scoop on his friend and Brad, after trying to talk her out of this new interest, called Darren to warn him that Chelsea might catch a wild hair and call him. Brad reassured Darren that he had taken the liberty of telling Chelsea that Darren wouldn't even be interested. Darren was not on board with Brad's defense but didn't pursue anything further. 

A couple of months later, Brad was in Virginia for his younger sister, Beth's wedding. During an evening of catching up on the deck, Brad revealed to Chelsea that Darren was "disappointed" that he had never heard from her. That was all she needed - and in that moment, she called Darren through Facebook Messenger and they talked for hours. That was September 16, 2021. They have talked every single day since then.

By October, Chelsea had the opportunity to getaway to Lexington to visit with Darren in person. They spent the weekend together, went to Keeneland and by that time, it was undeniable that they were meant to be together.

At that time Darren was living in Dayton, Ohio and Chelsea was in Manassas, Virginia - more than 450 miles apart. After a couple more months of burning up I-70 and racking up the hours on Facetime, they made it official in December 2021. 

The next couple of years were full of oil changes and air line miles as the two tried to see each other as often as they could. At the beginning of 2024, Darren was able to go fully remote for his job so he packed his things and officially made the move to Virginia. He jumped in headfirst to a schedule of school drop off and pick up, soccer practices and ballet rehearsals. 

It was a major change for both of them but nothing has felt easier or more natural.  Since then, the kids have loved every minute of finally having Darren in Virginia. With three kids, two dogs, a cat and six chickens - life is never dull. But it is so very beautiful.