Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photo by Meghan see

Marlin engagements

By Rachel Satterwhite

resatterwhite@vwc.edu

Not every love story begins in a castle with a prince and a princess. For these two girls, Kieara Mowery and Sarah Koolhof, it all began with a trip to Cici s Pizza.

On the night of Oct. 1, 2008, sophomore Mowery was sitting at a table in the Grille area of the Batten Center with some friends. She asked if anyone wanted to go to Cici s Pizza with her. Although she did not know Mowery well at the time, freshman Koolhof volunteered. The two of them enjoyed pizza together and then finished their evening with a visit to the oceanfront. They hit it off together well.

 We found we had a strong connection, said Mowery.

Earlier in the evening on the way out to the parking lot, the girls discovered they both had the same truck. A Chevy S10 is the make of their trucks, although they are different years. Both of them were a little surprised because not many people drive that truck.

 Sarah, my friend, said we d look like a cute couple, Mowery wrote to Koolhof in a text message four days later.

 So does that mean we re dating then? Koolhof responded back.

It went from there. As of Oct. 8, they were a couple.

Mowery and Koolhof s relationship is different than the traditional relationship. They are both lesbians. Koolhof said that at first it was different. She was self-conscious, but she adapted. Mowery is a local of the area and graduated from Tallwood High School. She used to play field hockey at VWC. Koolhof, also from Virginia, calls King George County home.

 It s the same, said Mowery.  A person s a person.

They have had some difficulties with being accepted as a lesbian couple. Such as trying to get into the same apartment together with a few other girls once Res. Life discovered they were a couple.

On a positive note, the two girls are in the same sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma. The Phi Sig girls are supportive of their relationship. Mowery was already in the sorority when Koolhof joined. However, Koolhof joined for her own reasons not because her girlfriend is in it.

Mowery knew Koolhof was the one. She bought a ring to propose to her in the Botanical Gardens on Valentine s Day. Her plan did not go as thought out. Eight days before Valentine s Day, Koolhof was walking around in Mowery s room wearing her shoes when she discovered a ring at the end of one of the toes. Mowery had hidden the ring in a pair of pink shoes thinking Koolhof would not find it there because she does not like the color pink. When Mowery realized that Koolhof had discovered the ring she went ahead and proposed early. Koolhof recalls the date and time-Feb. 6 at 10:48 PM.

 It was not romantic at all, said Mowery with a laugh.

 It s all the corny stuff people say in movies, said Koolhof which is how she knew Mowery was right. So she said  yes.

Some people may think their engagement was too quick, but Mowery explained,  It has meaning to us.

 She s breathtaking at times, said Mowery of Koolhof.  Everything gets better when I see her.

Their plans are to get married in Canada after one or both of them graduate from college. They are saving up money now to pay for it. Depending on how much money they save between now and then will determine the size of the wedding. Koolhof s parents are fully supportive and according to her  they love Kieara to death.

They are not sure where they will live afterwards.

 It s really a matter of what it means to us than the state, said Mowery.

At some point they want children. Koolhof s father wants her to have at least one child through artificial insemination. They also may adopt because Mowery wants a big family.

 Kieara s too goofy for her own good. She makes me laugh, said Koolhof trying to describe Mowery.  She s really smart and always helps me when I need help. I don t know, she s indescribable really.

 You re always going to find out more about the person you love, said Mowery. With the couple s future ahead of them, they have plenty of time for that.