HAPPENSTANCE,
ROMANCE, AND
SCOOBY SNACKS
F
inding Prince Charming is rarely
as simple as true-love’s timely first kiss,
having the perfect shoe size, or avoiding a poison apple.
Occasionally, though, it can be as easy as eavesdropping on a
BY TRACI COKER
conversation of plans to watch a Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fight. Just ask
Elizabeth Kessler and Bobby Medrano who recently shared their heartfelt, inspiring, and real-life love story.
Content with her life, Elizabeth Kessler went to work on Friday, September 13,
2013, with plans to hang out with a girlfriend and watch the Floyd Mayweather,
Jr. fight afterwards. However, during a quick break away from the workplace,
her friend informed her that she would be flying solo. From around the corner
a voice chimed in stating he wanted to watch the fight. After a few minutes of
introduction and banter, Elizabeth and Bobby exchanged numbers and decided
to meet up after work - neither believing they would hear from the other. Both were
pleasantly surprised. As promised, Elizabeth sent out a message with the plans and
Bobby showed up to hang out.
As it turns out, both had to work late and missed the fight, but still managed to spend
the entire night sipping whiskey and listening to her record collection. They discovered
they had much more in common than their appreciation of boxing. They talked about
everything from religion, friends, family, to future dreams. They even discovered they
actually worked at the same place and somehow had managed to avoid crossing
paths for over three months. From that night on they were inseparable. Who knew Floyd
Mayweather, Jr., packed Cupid’s arrows in those boxing gloves?
Over the next few months, their relationship rapidly evolved into something more.
Realizing that Elizabeth was becoming a permanent fixture in his life, Bobby felt it was
time to introduce Elizabeth to his two children, Benny, 6 and Ellee, 2. Bobby explains his
concerns at the time, “As a father, I did not want to introduce someone into their lives until
I felt the time was appropriate. Elizabeth agreed and did not want to rush as well, which
made me respect her more”. They had agreed to initially introduce her as a friend and
go from there, allowing time for the kids to adjust and build a routine involving Elizabeth.
Elizabeth reflects, “I had concerns as to whether or not Bobby had time in his life for
everything - work, school, the kids and me. I did not want to take away from any of it.”
She then adds this thoughtful insight, “There is no question, when children are involved,
you can’t take a selfish role as an adult.” Elizabeth was fully prepared to make any of the
sacrifices necessary to ensure they were happy and comfortable with her. To her delight,
she fell in love with the kids just as quickly as she did Bobby and they did likewise.
Then, on the evening of February 23, 2014, when on their way home from the grocery store
while stopped at a red light, a drunk driver slammed into their vehicle. Bobby sustained a
few minor bumps, bruising, scrapes and scratches. Elizabeth’s injuries, on the other hand,
were much worse. She sustained spinal trauma, slipped discs, and a concussion with shortterm memory loss.
Reminiscent of 50 First Dates, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, Elizabeth
began to experience more than just a slight concussion. She began to exhibit extreme
mood swings, depression, difficulty recalling recent events or activities, and her personality
Photo location credit (also on Cover):
Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.
Thank you for allowing us to use your
grounds!
18
was different than the woman Bobby had met. As they came to grips with the severity of
her injury, Bobby and Elizabeth realized they had more than just her physical wounds to
mend.