AndJosephKristen Duren
Our story has been in the works for a while. Joseph and I have been best friends and partners in crime for a full decade now. It doesn’t seem real does it? Our love story is not one out of a Nicholas Sparks book. Our story is slightly different. Instead of being filled with hopelessly romantic and outlandish gestures or gifts; ours is bursting with mountain adventures, family trips, weekend trips to the beach (riding golf carts), rafting the Nantahala, and going “TUBING” down deep creek. Joseph and I do not find it necessary to shower each other with useless gifts, we choose to spend time with our families and friends, creating our own memories, ballooning as often as possible and appreciating each other’s talents. (I fold laundry and he puts away the dishes!) I can honestly say Joseph was instantly my best friend; we just hit it off from the start and I knew from the moment I meet him that he was the “one”. The term soul mate is an understatement. The connection we have cannot be seen or measured, it is something completely unique. I sincerely wish I had had his gift for gab to be able to put his love into better perspective for you all, but alas I do not. What I can say, without a shadow of doubt, is that I’m truly thankful I have the opportunity to create more extraordinary memories with him as we start the next chapter together, married and (still) inseparable.
Joseph Hurdt
I often tell others that Kristen is an awesome sidekick. In reality, she’s so much more. When I first met her, I knew Kristen was special. Our paths had crossed a few times, but she was always quiet and shy (imagine that). Until one day, we found ourselves sharing a bench at the Broad River Greenway. She was intelligent, funny, engaging and so easy to talk to. She was also adorable and young — why did she have to be so young!? A year later, I ran into Kristen again while she was working at Pet Smart. As she stood there, with the fresh aroma of someone who had just finished cleaning the aquariums, I felt the same connection. If you know me, you know how I love my showers and colognes — so trust me when I say it was a powerful connection! Months pass slowly until one evening I find Kristen sitting in the audience for a revival performance of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)." During the show, I pulled a very shy Kristen on stage for an audience participation bit. I knew immediately that I had made a huge mistake — she was terrified. In an attempt to calm her frayed nerves, I took her hand in mine for the very first time. At that moment, as she relaxed and I tensed, I realized I was never letting go. Years later, Kristen is still my muse, my partner, my crew chief, my love. I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather have by my side — my sidekick. Then, now, and forever, I DO.
