Bobby Thollander and Kevin Fox met in a most unlikely place a gay couple could meet — a Catholic high school.
Bobby had been working as a science teacher at the school when Kevin began substitute teaching there. Kevin’s assignment was to manage the copy room. That same day, Bobby needed to get some tests copied.
The copier ended up jamming, so the two tried to fix it, starting from opposite sides then meeting in the middle.
“We both looked up and met eyes and stayed there motionless looking at each other for what seemed like an eternity,” Bobby says. “Slightly trembling, I started to lean in to kiss him when the principal’s wife walked in the room desperate to make her own copies. Little did I know that I had just met the love of my life.”
When arranging a field trip with his marine science class to a disappearing island in New Smyrna Beach, Bobby decided to try to get to know Kevin more by arranging for him to be a chaperone on the trip.
The two spent the whole trip walking down the beach and chatting.
“He was so easy to talk to,” Bobby says. “We haven’t stopped talking since and one of our strengths as a couple is our open, honest and sincere communication with one another.”
Though many friends and coworkers were aware of and supported Kevin and Bobby’s relationship, the two were always aware of the fact that if the wrong people found out, they would have to choose between getting married and keeping their jobs.
“I couldn’t stand feeling like I was in the closet again,” Bobby says. “I came out at an early age and have always fiercely been myself and no one else or what anyone wanted me to be. No one should ever have to hide who they are or be something that they aren’t.”
After two years of dating, Bobby decided that it was time to find a new teaching job. His new school was not only accepting of his sexuality and his relationship, but also gave Bobby the idea to propose to Kevin when the school’s computer system had marked Kevin as Bobby’s husband.
“The only way to change it in the system was by a dropdown menu to say that either Kevin had deceased or that we had divorced,” Bobby says. “I hated both of those thoughts but loved the idea of being his husband. I bought the engagement ring and started making plans to propose a few weeks later.”
Bobby planned to propose during a weekend getaway for him, his family and Kevin in St. Petersburg. Though he had planned to propose at a rooftop cabana during sunset, the actual proposal didn’t go exactly how he’d planned.
Bobby was so excited to propose that he kept the ring in his pocket for days. When the couple and Bobby’s family were at dinner the night before he had planned to propose, Bobby anxiously fiddled with the ring.
“Anxiety, fear and excitement washed over me,” Bobby says. “It was like waiting in line for a terrifying, but thrilling roller coaster. I couldn’t take it any longer. As soon as Kevin got back from the bathroom and had barely sat down, I got down on one knee and asked Kevin to marry me.”
Though they originally had planned a 200-person wedding, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the couple to change their plans. They had to reduce their guest list and required masks and social distancing measures at the wedding.
Kevin and Bobby say that the COVID-19 precautions didn’t take away from the fun of the wedding.
“Being that most family lives out of town, it had been years since seeing some aunts and cousins and they made it a point to make it down to celebrate with us, which made the night unforgettable,” Kevin says.
“The whole night moved so quickly,” Bobby added. “I remember the cake was amazing as well as the food, the wait staff never let our drinks get empty and our families all had fun on the dance floor together.”
Engagement Date: Dec. 22, 2019
Wedding Date: March 6, 2021
Officiant: Maureen
Warman Venue: Cypress Grove Estate House
Colors: Navy, Blush, Rose Gold
Wedding Song/Artist: “So Will I” by Ben Platt
Florist: Lee Forrest Designs
Caterer: Big City Catering
Cake Flavors: Raspberry Vanilla, Chocolate Marble Cake and Vanilla Amaretto Cake
Bakery: Sprinkes Custom Cakes
Photographer/Videographer: Captured by Elle
DJ/Entertainment: Our DJ Rocks
Do you have an interesting wedding or engagement story you’d like to share with Watermark readers? If so, email the details to Editor@WatermarkOnline.com for consideration as a future feature.
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