Registry
THANK YOU!
The most important gift you can give us is your presence on our wedding day. But if you insist, we won't resist. Please use the links below to contribute to our dream home and honeymoon registries. www.blueprintregistry.com/registry/kc-and-koko
Our Story
Kenneth and I met on the set of a food production. I had just completed my round of shows and he had just landed to record his. We were about to embark on this really amazing media opportunity and I wanted to set a family like tone so I extended a hug when he extended his hand. In his embrace I felt a burst of energy and knew right away that we would get along.
Over the day I played his sous chef helping him prep for his episodes. We laughed, joked, did push ups ... I mean just cut up on set. It was such a great time. We decided to have a team dinner with the rest of the cast and while the others were getting ready Kenneth asked for my number. I kind of knew he was interested, but me being me still tried to keep a professional exchange. I tried to play it cool but either way he got my number. There was something different about him. He was full of personality while still kind, bold, funny and positive. I really enjoyed his energy.
I wasn't really thinking we could be more than friends until the car ride back home from the restaurant. We sat next to each other in the back seat. While the others were engaged in conversation Kenneth will say a voice told him to grab my hand. Interesting enough he doesn't like holding hands. So he didn't listen the first time but when he heard the voice tell him to do it again, he went for it. He grabbed my hand and begin to caress it.
I WAS IN COMPLETE SHOCK! I gave him the shadiest side eye as if to say, "who do you think you are?" He just calmly looked back at me and asked, "do you want me to stop?" In that moment I melted in my seat and with an almost child-like voice responded "noooooooooo." He held my hand the rest of the way home and I didn't know what to do with myself.
From that moment we have been inseparable, talking every day about everything. Traveling back and forth between Dallas and New Orleans. Supporting, praying and encouraging each other through all our endeavors. Planning a partnership rooted in God, Love and Understanding.
We are so excited to have you join us as we embark on this life-long journey together.
#KCandKoko #LoveAtFirstBite
Did You Knows
Who made the first move? How?
KENNETH: I like to joke with Meiko that she made the first move. When we first met she decided to extend a hug instead of the typical handshake. No lie, during that hug I felt a spark of electricity in my gut and knew it was on. Had she kept it purely professional with a handshake we may not be here today.
MEIKO: Kenneth and I met on set of a food production. Behind the scenes I played his sous chef and he kept me laughing all day. I knew we had a natural chemistry but I tried to keep things strictly professional. Nevertheless, when the rest of the crew disappeared to get ready for dinner Kenneth and I found ourselves alone. He seized the opportunity to get my digits and I obliged.
What was your first date?
KENNETH: Our first date was more like a weekend in New Orleans filled with food, fun and friends. The oxtail dinner was apart of her welcome committee. The next day I took her on an afternoon stroll in the french quarter accompanied with beignets from Cafe Du Monde and flicks in front of the picturesque St. Louis Cathedral. I then got us tickets for an evening bike tour around the city where she got to meet some of my friends. Somewhere in the mix I also took her to see one of my clients, Irving Mayfield, perform live jazz at the Royal Sonesta. We capped off things with what we know best, a good old cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking where we learned to make pralines and bananas foster.
MEIKO: Kenneth got it all right. The BEST FIRST DATE WEEKEND EVER! I was in New Orleans for a conference and decided to extend my trip to get to know this fella. I set my expectation low but was blown away by who he was. Best chance I ever took . But what Kenneth forgot to mention is one of those nights he took me out to a club for a friend's birthday party. I was kind of nervous to meet his friends. While there he introduced me to everyone and their mouth's dropped. Apparently he had never brought a girl he was interested around the crew so they knew this had to be something special. They told me that night and multiple time sense how special I must be since this was completely out of Kenneth's character. It made me feel good to know I had his family and friend's stamp of approval right off the bat.
Who cooked for who first and what was the meal?
KENNETH: I cooked for Meiko first and made my recipe for Yucatan Oxtails. I chose that dish because when we first met, Meiko helped me prep my ingredients for my show. Unfortunately she had to leave for her flight before she could taste the finished dish. Before she left I told her that I would make them again for her one day (although she didn't believe me). So when she visited me for the first time in NOLA I decided to make good on my promise. She tasted them and she has been hooked ever since. Fellas if you need the recipe I got you.
Who’s going to do the cooking?
KENNETH: I think Meiko should do all the cooking at home since I cooks for a living.
MEIKO: He says that but I know that Kenneth can't stay out of the kitchen and will be over my shoulder dropping his 2 cents.
Where will home be?
MEIKO: After months of negotiating, weighing pros and cons and down right sucking up to KC, I was finally able to convince him that Dallas should be home base, so he will be moving to Dallas in the early Fall.
Kenneth when did you know you were ready to pop the question?
KENNETH: After Meiko's second trip to visit for Mardi Gras I knew I was ready to pop the question. During that trip she met the family and got the green light from all 3 important women in my life; my mom, my grandma and my auntie. Believe me, they are hard women to please. Then I started asking married couples that I respect, how they knew they found the ONE. The most common answer was, "when you know, you know." And I knew. So I asked permission for her hand and waited for the perfect opportunity to pop the question.
How did you propose?
KENNETH: I asked Meiko's mother for her hand in marriage over a random car ride together to Costco. I didn't have a ring or a date that I planned to propose but I had her there alone in person and it felt like no better time to ask. After I won CHOPPED I knew exactly what I would do with my winnings and got a ring but still had no date. Fortunately my mother was planning a big 60th Birthday party in NOLA which served as the perfect guise for the proposal. My mom extended an invitation for the party in October to Meiko's parents. Once I told them I planned to propose during that weekend all hands were on deck and Meiko was none the wiser.
During the trip we planned a day for our families to hang out together and included a street car tour around the city. We got off the street car, walked around a bit ... Meiko leading the way the whole time(clueless). Then finally I saw the perfect spot, gave both families the signal and got down on one knee.
MEIKO: I really had no idea. I knew marriage was on the horizon for us, just didn't know when. It made sense to me to have our parents meet at the party so I didn't think twice about it. Never once did I predict a proposal was on the way. When we got off the street car I lead the way, directing us to a cool sno-ball shop, then a walk through the store fronts and finally we hit this spot back at the street car with a backdrop of oak trees that was really pretty so we decided to take group pictures.
For some reason everybody stepped away so only KC and I could take a picture together and I thought that was a little odd but blew it off. After our photos I turned to invite the rest of the group into to the shot but when I turned back around KC was getting on one knee. I freaked out! This couldn't be what I thought was happening. So I ran the opposite direction and almost got hit by a bus.
The group yelled for me to come back and answer him. . Still in shock I absolutely said YES. It was a crazy, magical, special surprise and I've been excited about our special day ever since.
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