Kathy in Xochimilco, Mexico (one week before meeting Manny)
Kathy Crane
Born in Upstate New York
Raised by parents Donna and Mike Crane in New York, Florida, Vermont, and Florida (again)
Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida (GO GATORS)
Taught Middle School Choir/General Music in Sarasota County, FL
Counselor/teacher at UW-Madison Summer Music Clinic
Moved to Racine, Wisconsin in the summer of 2016 (to be closer to parents who moved to Madison, WI)
Teaches Middle School Choir/General Music in Kenosha, WI
Sings in Chant Claire Chamber Choir
Known for her love of punny jokes, traveling, and all things garlic
Manny in La Plaza de Honores in Guayaquil, Ecuador (one month before meeting Kathy)
Manny Lopez
Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI
Raised by proud Puerto Rican parents Hector and Ivelisse Lopez
Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Louis University
Doctorate of Medicine from Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in Milwaukee, WI
Currently an anesthesiology resident at MCW
Known for his love of Jeeps, technology, and talking way too much
Our Story
How We Met:
Our love story begins with a serendipitous encounter on the dance floor on June 2, 2018! Manny’s good friend from medical school, Eunice, was getting married in Milwaukee and Manny was a guest at her wedding. Kathy sang in Chant Claire Chamber Choir with Eunice and was asked to be part of the small ensemble performing for the ceremony. As a thank you, the singers were invited to the dancing and dessert portion of the reception. Kathy was having a grand time dancing and being goofy with her Chant Claire friends when some catchy song compelled Manny to the dance floor. He saw a group of people having fun and bravely started dancing with this group of strangers! The spark between us was immediate and seeing this, Kathy’s friends gracefully backed off the dance floor to make room for our budding romance (thanks wing-women)! We talked and danced the night away. Two days later, we went on our first date and the rest is history!
How He Proposed
On August 1st, 2020, we planned an outdoor, socially-distanced day in the sun with both of our families. We met Kathy’s parents at the Lopez family’s new lake house in Fox Lake, WI. Kathy knew that this much needed day of relaxation would include swimming, kayaking, and time with family but she had no idea what else was in store! Manny’s co-conspirator (his mom) made a casual suggestion that we get ready to go kayaking in an effort to get the group from the porch to the grassy backyard for the big moment. Unfortunately, no one else knew that this was a ruse and scattered to actually get ready. Suddenly, Manny had to corral both families back together while trying not to look suspicious. Kathy’s parents knew that the proposal was supposed to happen sometime in the near future but didn’t know when or where until he ran after them to clue them in on the ruse. Crisis averted! The plan was back on track with everyone playing their part (if not over-acting a bit). Kathy had no idea until Manny got down on one knee! The scheme was complete when Manny’s mom revealed bottles of champagne to toast to the happy couple!