We are so excited to have Jenna and Brendan join our Cherish Events family! Take a look at their beautiful engagement photos and read the sweet story of how Brendan “popped the question”.
Brendan and I started dating on December 12, 2010. We met through the world of UCF Athletics as we were both student-athletes; he was on UCF’s Football team and I was on their Tennis team. Even though ourclass and team schedules did not allow for a lot of time together, it didn’t take us long to realize that we shared something very special. Brendan got out to every match that he could to cheer me on and I
cheered him on at our football games. After we graduated from UCF and completed our chapters of being student-athletes, Brendan moved to
Tampa for a job, while I went on to graduate school at UCF. We only saw each other on the weekends during his 2 and 1/2 years there, but it made us closer and strengthened our relationship. We realized more than ever how blessed we were to have had our paths cross.
Thanksgiving of 2014 was one of the most special times of my life. Brendan’s Mom was down from New York to spend the holiday with my family and I (this didn’t turn out to be the main reason she was here). We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with all of my family and then the next day (Friday), went to cheer on our UCF Football team as they took on (and beat) USF in Tampa. That next day, Saturday, was THE best day of my life so far. We got engaged! And this is how it happened…
Brendan, his Mom and I were driving back from Tampa after watching our football game the night before. As we were driving back, I was anxious to make plans for his Mom to show her around Winter Park that evening. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but Brendan and his Mom weren’t really responding much to my ideas of what to do that evening! Once we got home to my family, I called a family meeting to plan out the rest of the day to make it special for his Mom while she was in town. I suggested dinner on Park Avenue, the Winter Park Boat Tour, etc. Everyone knew that this special evening was going to be Brendan’s night to propose to me, but no one gave even the slightest hint! We decided to all go to dinner that evening at Cocina 214 on Park Avenue, one of my favorite restaurants! Brendan, his Mom, and I ended up getting ready and going down to Park Avenue earlier than my family so that I could show his Mom how wonderful Park Avenue was. 
We first stopped at the Wine Room (one of my favorite places on Park Ave) and then continued our way walking down the avenue. As we neared the end of the street, across from St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Brendan’s Mom took a phone call and she motioned us on. I urged Brendan to stay back to wait for his Mom, but they both assured me to keep walking. Right before we crossed the street, a basset hound came around the corner with a pink bow on her head. Basset Hounds are one of Brendan’s favorite dogs and will more than likely be the first dog that we get together! So we, of course, bent down to pet their dog. (Looking back, this was such a cool sign!) Brendan took my hand and walked me across the street. He drew me in front of the fountain of St. Margaret Mary Church and got down on one knee. At this point, all emotions took over! Brendan spoke the most genuine and heartfelt words I have ever heard as he asked me to marry him. I of course started crying and said yes! How he proposed to me was very special because that spot, right in front of St. Margaret Mary Church, was the same spot that my Dad proposed to my Mom 36 years ago. I had mentioned this to Brendan years ago when I first introduced him to Park Avenue, and he remembered and knew that this was where he would someday propose to me. This made it even more memorable for me and my family. 
After I said yes, he picked me up to hug me and that’s when I noticed that my Mom, Dad, sister Jillian, Uncle Tony and Aunt Karla, were across the street hiding at the Panera watching us the entire time! They all cheered and came running across the street to be with us. From the other corner, his mom came running over to us as well. I later learned that the “call” that Brendan’s Mom got was actually fake and was a part of the plan for Brendan and I to keep walking. Many people that witnessed Brendan’s proposal cheered and clapped around us. The owner of BOCA Restaurant which was directly across from us, came out and invited us in for champagne. After I gained some composure and we finished our champagne, we walked down to our dinner reservation at Cocina 214 only to find out that one of my best friends (and Cocina’s Catering Manager at the time), Celina, had set up a beautiful dinner for us with candles, sangria and adorable chalk signs that read “To the Future Mr. and Mrs. Kelly.” We all sat around the table as my sister made an amazing toast to Brendan and I, and we shared a delicious meal with our family celebrating. For dessert, we had those amazing Bundt cakes that were decorated with little love bird flag decorations!
It was an evening I will never forget and I can confidently say, one of the best days of my life!  Our wedding is on Saturday, February 6, 2016 and I cannot wait to marry my best friend and soulmate. 
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