We first met in the Fall of 1993 when we were in Miss Schreider’s 7th grade English class at Emmet Belknap Middle School in Lockport. After noticing the mutual attraction, Kellena’s childhood best friend threw a Halloween party just so we would have an excuse to hang out outside of school. This was the night of our first kiss, and after the party we talked on the phone for hours.

For the next two years we were officially an item and, like most love-struck kids, spent a lot of time together. We went to our first concert together (The Cranberries), saw plays at Studio Arena (The Snow Ball), listened to Jimi Hendrix, wrote notes and poems to each other – one note ended P.S. We have to see the Eiffel Tower together! – and became close with each other’s families. We were even voted
one of the cutest couples of our middle school. Read more.