Fred & Kelly’s Story

Kelly Maree was born in Monterey, California, raised in Alexandria, and has called Richmond home since 2012. Fredelito Yvan was born and raised in Norfolk and moved to Richmond in 2018 for a job as a student leadership educator at Virginia Commonwealth University.

In November 2019, Kelly also started a new job at VCU as an event coordinator. Fred will never forget the first time he met Kelly. They were in a meeting together with a few others discussing a simple, routine student-employee appreciation event. Flexing her event planning background, Kelly walked in with humility and directness to elevate the event - on her first week of work. Immediately, Fred was impressed with her brilliant mind, confident attitude, and most of all, her gorgeous eyes.

Kelly and Fred became great friends, enjoying Fred's new city together. Their friendship grew deeper when the pandemic hit. From lake trips at Smith Mountain and Lake Anna and drive-in movies in Goochland, to floats down the James River and NASCAR races, Kelly and Fred deeply enjoyed each other's company and thrived in friendship during the challenging pandemics of the time.

In 2021, Kelly organized Fred's 30th birthday party at Brambly Park. It was at that point Fred knew his feelings for Kelly were beyond friendship. He knew he met a woman that is attentive, selfless, and kind-hearted. A life partner that God had all intentions for us to meet, grow, and thrive in Virginia's capital city.

Four months, multiple attempts at courting for a first date, and a love letter later, Kelly gave in and said yes on the twenty-first night of September - a date coincidentally made infamous by Earth, Wind, and Fire (our unofficial theme song). Our first date was at Osaka Sushi with an ice cream trip to Coco + Hazel. Although Kelly claims to not have had mutual feelings that summer of '21, Fred is still doubtful.

From memorable trips to Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, Atlanta, and Hilton Head Island to a big move to Norfolk for Fred's dream job at his alma mater, ODU, Kelly and Fred stayed busy enjoying each other's company, meeting family and friends that are important to us (you!), and watching hours of Grey's Anatomy (if you were wondering, Kelly is Fred's person).

An Epic Proposal at Mrs Macquarie’s Point

In 2022, Kelly and Fred ventured 10,000 miles to the Pacific for three weeks, meeting each other's remaining family members in the Philippines and Australia. With Trish's help, Bruce's blessing, and Abby Leigh's coordination, Fred worked with the Kitchens to keep a three-month-long secret from Kelly to propose at Bruce's favorite spot, Mrs. Macquarie's Chair, in Sydney Harbour with her Granita's heirloom ring.

A cool, windy day in Sydney, Kelly briskly walked Fred through the Royal Botanical Gardens that she knew well before a dinner reservation at Abby's restaurant, while Fred tried to slow her down (and get his freakin' nerves together). After pulling (read: forcing) her to the designated photographer location marked by two sticks in an "X", missing multiple agreed-upon phone calls from the photographer due to nerves, and kicking said sticks into the Harbour, Fred got on his knee to ask for Kelly's hand in marriage. On Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 4:40pm at Syndey Harbour, Kelly Maree gave an enthusiastic "yes!".