A competitive spirit resonates with Sally and Chris

Some might expect they were brought together after an arduous battle — each the other’s prize for a challenging victory.

But as is the case with many of the best things in life, it came about in an unexpected fashion.

Fierce competitors, Sally Kern and Chris Homuth are the figure of physical fitness, outspoken and charismatic, hardly the stereotypical lot you’d imagine trolling the internet for companions.

However, that’s exactly the way the perfectly content worlds of Sally and Chris collided in July 2007 - in a seemingly ordinary internet social search.

Chris, then 29, had recently moved to Minnesota for work from his hometown of West Bend, Wis. It was his second time making a new home in the suburbs of Minneapolis. He began as a sales representative for Mobile Mini — a company specializing in secure, portable storage containers — and had moved his way up to branch manager.

After settling into his new position for the Farmington, Minn., branch, Chris exercised his inherent people skills and the corps of individuals he’d met while previously living in the state to quickly connect with acquaintances in the area. Despite his imposing exterior, Chris is gregarious and has no problems making friends.

In fact, with years spent as an Amy medic in the late 1990s, Chris developed an impressive web of associates. He utilized the social networking website, MySpace, to keep in touch with those around the country. 

“ ... I know people in probably 30 of the 50 states,” he said.

Even with his deft handling of the social scene, Chris longed to engage with more people closer to his new home who shared his interests.

“I just got burned out going to work, coming home, and working out,” Chris recalled.

To get linked in with his peers, Chris once again utilized MySpace, using the website’s search engine like a fine-tooth comb to find nearby kindred spirits.

Upon his first query, the face of Sally Kern — practically a neighbor — flickered onto Chris’ computer monitor, her warm smile drawing him in. A cursory scan of her personality profile revealed Sally enjoyed a good thrashing of her opponents on the volleyball court as much as Chris did. Little did he know this foray into the cyber world would soon have a dramatic impact on his real life.

When Chris met Sally

Sally moved to Burnsville from her hometown of Lester Prairie, Minn. after high school to attend Dakota County Technical College. After graduating with an associate’s of science degree in interior design, Sally nestled into her new home. She loved being closer to the Twin Cities and was equally adept as Chris at making new friends.

Like Chris, Sally, then 26, applied a high level of nonchalance to finding a match on the internet. She, too, was away from home but well at ease with her new surroundings when Chris’ first playful nudge came into her MySpace inbox.

The message to Sally was legitimately seeking of friendship, however, undertones of something more were already in motion. Chris subtly made note of Sally’s attractive personality and physical features.

“She just had this really cute smile,” Chris said later. “She seemed like she was really competitive and fun — she just had that aura about her.”

Sally, in turn, browsed through Chris’ online profile and scanned through a few of his photos. She wasn’t interested in dating someone she’d met on the internet but had to admit she was also attracted and could sense his personality coming through the screen.

“I thought he was really cute ... The bald head really did it for me,” Sally said, followed by her powerful laugh. “He had that confident look. He was a big guy and could protect me. He had a great smile and always looked happy.”

The two exchanged occasional e-mails, but despite their proximity to one another, made no plans of actually meeting each other face-to-face. It seemed for both like just another “friend” to add to their online battery of connections until Chris gave out his number to Sally along with an open invitation for her to hang out with him and some of his friends. Sally initially balked at the notion.

“I thought it seemed desperate,” she said.

After about a month and a half of sporadic communications, Chris called out Sally in an e-mail reminding her that she was supposed to call him. Sally followed up to say she had limited access to a computer and was actually going to the public library to retrieve her online messages. In private, she’d sought the advice of friends who convinced her going out with someone she’d met online was no different than someone she’d met in a bar.

“What did I have to loose,” she said.

The next day, she made her move and called Chris, not knowing only 30 seconds earlier he had hit the “send” button on a response to her e-mail.

“It worked!” Chris joked with his friends sitting nearby. A first date was set.

A sign of things to come

On Oct. 12, 2007, Chris and Sally had their first date at Chianti Grill, an Italian restaurant only a stone’s throw from both of their houses. The conversation was easy and went deeper than the usual get-to-know-you chitchat they had both expected.

Their personalities jelled and both were reaffirmed each other’s active lifestyles weren’t just facades put up in cyberspace. Both loved volleyball, golf and were active at the gym. They even liked the same music and movies.

The date could have easily ended at dinner but both felt compelled to keep the evening going and moved to Prime Time Sports Bar for some drinks and, of course, some healthy competition. The couple’s tone savors of lighthearted combatants when they recount the meeting.

“I totally kicked your butt in darts,” Sally boasted.

“Well, I crushed you in pool,” Chris asserted.

The courtship continued and Chris moved in with Sally the next spring. Chris, who has a son from a previous relationship, said he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Sally when she cooked a hearty meal of stuffed manicotti for father and son.

“That pretty much sealed the deal for me,” he said.

Proper proposal

Within a few months of sharing a home with Sally, Chris had already bought an engagement ring and was ready to propose -- originally thinking he would pop the question in front of an audience at a Rascal Flats concert (one of their favorite bands), but unfortunately, his plot was foiled after bragging about the ploy to friends over Labor Day weekend. Sally was keen on having Chris on bended knee.

Chris improvised and opted instead for a return visit to Chianti Grill on Sept. 24, 2008, close to the anniversary of their first date. Knowing they hadn’t dined at the restaurant since that initial meeting, Sally was dialed in to the romantic implications of the event, but Chris kept her in suspense, waiting until they had walked home to make his move.

Chris, a traditionalist in matters of the heart, had asked Sally’s father for her hand in marriage. He got down on one knee and said:

“ ... I think it’s appropriate that we went to the same place where we had our first date tonight. ... I think it’s time for us to take our relationship to the next level.”

Sally was instantly nodding yes and crying before Chris even had time to present her with the ring.

Destination, Jamaica

After the glow of becoming engaged subdued long enough for Sally and Chris to think, they began plotting the perfect setting to exchange vows. They both decided an unconventional wedding with close family and friends would suit them best.

They chose Beaches Sandy Bay, an idyllic resort on the most tranquil section of Jamaica’s Seven-Mile Beach. With plenty of activities, including snorkeling, kayaking and windsurfing at their disposal, it’s no wonder this adventurous couple will bring their families together at this exciting setting.

“I always dreamed of an outdoor wedding, and wanted it to be on a beach,” Sally said. “But I never thought it would come true.”

Fortunately, Sally’s and Chris’ competitive nature brings out the best of one another and they were able to make what seemed impossible, possible. The couple will be married Feb. 1, 2010, and Sally’s dream will come true.

Anthologie, LLC will be on site to document the wedding story of Sally and Chris in Negril, Jamaica.

To view more photos from Sally's and Chris' engagement session, click HERE.

Editor's note: Anthologie, LLC is dedicated to telling our clients' stories through photography, prose and the preservation of personal items. For more information, or to set up an appointment call 952-232-5830.