The Story

Keith Jeffery Richter

 Born:

10/7/1982

Poughkeepsie NY

Parents:

Jeffrey Richter

Cindy Olivett Richter

Siblings:

            Ginger Richter (1980)

Keith grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY in the house his father built in a suburban area.  His father took a new job with AMP (now Tyco) in Winston-Salem NC in 1993 which brought them down to Kernersville.  He attended a Catholic middle school and then transferred to East Forsyth High School where he first encountered Bethany.  Growing up a Boy Scout and developing an affinity for camping made Keith’s decision to go to school in the Appalachian mountains to study History Education a logical one.  After two years in the cramped city of Boone, Keith decided to Transfer to NC State to finish his degree.  Keith graduated in December of 2005 and got a job with Cumberland County Schools as an 11^th grade U.S. History and Civics teacher at Westover High by the Fall of 2006.  Intriguingly, this brings him back to where Bethany lived upon her return from Germany.  Although Keith enjoyed his time at Westover High School impressing the socks off his coworkers, he's now looking for a job in the general Winston-Salem area so he and Bethany can live happily ever after.

Bethany Laine Spencer

Born:

03/28/1983

Doraville GA

Parents:

Victor Ray Spencer

Susan Lee Floyd Spencer

Siblings:

            Jenna Spencer (1985)

            Victor Lee Spencer (1990)

Bethany lived for a short time in Doraville GA and then Enterprise AL when her father took a job as a flight simulator technician in Hiedleburg Germany, (where, regrettably, no one learned much German).  The Spencer’s were there until shortly before the wall fell in 1990, when her father had the opportunity to relocate to Fort Bragg, NC.  Bethany attended Fayetteville Christian School for second and third grade until she began home schooling.  The Spencer family then took advantage of some land they had bought and built a house in rural Sanford NC where Bethany attended Middle and some High School.  When her father got a job as a computer programmer for Gilbarco in Greensboro NC, the family moved to Kernersville in 1998.  Bethany then attended East Forsyth High School where she first encountered Keith.  Sure she would be an oceanographer, Bethany headed to Wilmington on the east side of the state for college.  After realizing that she really wanted to be a mechanical engineer, Bethany transferred to NCA&T in Greensboro where she graduated in December 2006.  Eventually, Bethany got a job as a Quality Engineer with Emmerson Network Power in Welcome, NC.

Keith's Side of the Story

I enjoy telling people how Bethany and I first met; it's as unique as being high school sweethearts, but without the mushy connotations. We were good friends in high school, but then sort of "re-met" in college, when I tricked her into thinking we had common interests. 

The part I like best about the story of how we officially became a couple is that we're honestly not sure what time it occurred, and thus we're not 100% positive of when our anniversary is. It occurred late at night, but whether it was before or after midnight is unknown. We only decided on 4/28 because it would be easier for me to remember (Bethany's birthday is 3/28).

The details of that night are quite mushy, and are briefly described over there ----->

Bethany's Side of the Story

First Impressions

Keith sat with the jocks in Mrs. Ashworth's 10th grade English class.  That alone was enough to dissuade me from ever approaching him.  Not only that, he was in marching band and on the wrestling team.  What could I, a card carrying thespian and president of the art club, possibly want to do with him?

Getting to know you

But he was friends with some of my other friends.  We hung out socially by the time Sr. year rolled around and I had gotten over my high school clichés.  He turned out to be a cool guy, we ended up going on camping trips and he even came to a few of my art club meetings.

I think I like him

We went to colleges on separate sides of the state but Keith kept IMing me, with all sorts of interesting information.  He seemed to be interested in traveling to exotic places and liked all the sorts of films I liked.  At a party over Christmas break he mentioned that if he ever got a tattoo it would be of the Little Prince.  That, you might say, hooked me.  But it wasn't until three months later that I intentionally let on I liked him by holding his hand on a visit to App for my birthday.

It's Official 4/28/02

We were sitting under a full moon on Carolina beach after having told ghost stories when he asked me out.  Keith soon became my best friend, and even though he often seems like the older brother I never wanted, I treasure him and see in him a very precious companion whom I wouldn't want to be without.

Keith's Side of the Story

Popping the Question

I had planned the proposal as a surprize, which is very uncaracteristic of how I usually do things.  However, on Oct. 29 I decided sponteniety was preferrable to surprise and proposed to her exactly when she was expecting it. I think everyone would agree that this was way better than any plan involving hot-air ballons and rings in food.

Bethany's Side of the Story

About sixth months after we started dating, I remember first thinking I would marry Keith, sitting next to him at the premier of The Two Towers.  Keith had all sorts of qualities I admired and I could envision the rest of my life with him.

Trials and Tribulations

Keith has a very prudent and careful background, whereas I come from a rather intrepidly decisive one.  Note that it was four years and four months later that he finally proposed.  So most of my troubles were related to the amount of patience I could muster. Not only was that patience applied to my wait, but also to Keith’s inability to keep a secret from someone who adores surprises.  But, when the proposal I had been hoping for finally came, I was far too happy to be concerned with that.

Popping the Question

Although I, (not without some hint-dropping), suspected Keith of planning something Monday, skipping out on his teacher workday to surprise me, I had previously had high hopes for the weekend.  But it was already Sunday and nothing special was going on. So, while hugging me goodbye after dropping me off at my house, I felt his hands shaking and his heart beating far too fast.  Suddenly he was on one knee, and had put the ring on my finger while asking if I would marry him.  I then found myself on my knees hugging him, replying that of course I would.