Chris Catterson was born on May 10th, 1977. He was raised in Huntington,
Long Island where he attended Saint Anthony's High School. Intending to follow professionally in the footsteps of his attorney father, Chris enrolled in the University of Scranton (Scranton, PA) as a Criminal
Justice major. Although greatly fascinated by subjects of criminology and forensic science, Chris left Scranton in his sophomore year to pursue to an even deeper interest in the Culinary Arts. He later studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY where he graduated with an AOS Degree in Culinary Arts and a BPS Degree in the area of Hospitality Management.
Following graduation, Chris worked briefly for The Venetian Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, NV. He returned to Long Island in 2002 and began working at The Garden City Hotel, Long Island's highest rated luxury hotel where he is currently still employed as the Saucier Chef.
Chris is a self-proclaimed "techie geek" enjoying most everything sci-fi and electronic: from Xbox360 to Star Trek.
He also prides himself on having an extensive and well-rounded collection of movies on DVD.
Kristin Kraska was born and raised in Richmond Hill, Queens on September 22, 1978. Her family moved to Kings Park, Long Island in August 1990. She attended Kings Park High School, graduated in 1996, and enrolled in Colgate University (Hamilton, NY) where she earned a BA in Educational Studies.
Following graduation in 2000, Kristin started working for Forbes Magazine; starting in Human Resources she later became the Assistant Event Coordinator for the company.
After nearly 8 years at Forbes and becoming disillusioned with the event planning role, Kristin decided to change career focus. She took a job with yet another established periodical: Newsweek - where she now works as an Executive Assistant for the head of the digital department.
Kristin's hobbies include cooking at home, visiting Walt Disney World as much as possible, and relaxing at home with her "babies" Evie and Pinot. She has recently taken up baking fresh bread at home and planted a small kitchen herb garden where she grows fresh basil -- her favorite!
The First Dates
Living on his own in a small second-floor apartment in Valley Stream, Chris found Kristin's profile while surfing Yahoo personals. They began exchanging Instant Messages as well as emails, and a few weeks later met in person for their first date on March 21th, 2005 at Mesa Grill -- Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay's well-known Mexican restaurant. It was here that they would share the first of many great meals and discover each other’s love for the marriage of fine food and wine.
Dating continued as their friendship developed and attraction grew. They first became fast friends enjoying each other's company and going out often to have an amazing meal, a few classy drinks, or just staying in to cook for one another.
Anywhere the two would go good eats, smooth cocktails, and old-fashioned rock and roll was sure to follow!
A Deeper Love
After time it became clear that neither of the two could bear to be without the other, and on January 8th, 2006 they decided to become much more than just friends. As exclusive boyfriend and girlfriend the two traveled together and explored the complex relationship qualities such as commitment and love. Although living separately, they spent as much time together as possible often commuting to work from the other's apartment until the physical separation become too much and the couple began looking for ways to live together.
In November of 2007 Chris packed his things and moved into Kristin's two bedroom Co-Op in Forest Hills, Queens. For the first time they would always come home to each other without having to maintain a second living space. Unfortunately the two cats that Chris had lived with for several years since his time at CIA both became sick and passed away before the move could be completed, but the tragedy cleared the way for two new rescued kittens to enter their lives, and fortunately they lived close-by.
The New Family
Littermates 'Pinot' and 'Evie' were rescued from the streets of Middle Village, Queens after their mother abandoned them when they were very young. Nursed back to health by Chris' Aunt Linda, the two flourished and would soon need a home. Hearing the story, Chris and Kristin visited the feline sisters and instantly fell in love. Less than a week later they were bringing the two fluffy kittens home to their shared living space.
Together Chris and Kristin met the challenges of providing for the young babies and now the pair has become a major part of their growing lives together.
Making it Official
The following is an excerpt from Chris' online blog:
"It's an interesting time in your life when you decide you've found the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with. It is a moment that can truly only come along once. I have been in a relationship with Kristin for over 3 years now. Last November, I packed up my bachelor pad, committed most of my things to storage, and moved in with her. On Saturday, December 20th 2008, around 5pm, with still 4 shopping days left until Christmas, I asked Kristin if she would marry me."
Kristin and Chris so far had met, dated, lived together, and just started to share in the responsibilities of life, but still there was one thing left to do: make things truly official and get married. Chris picked the Christmas season, his favorite time of year, to propose to Kristin high above the crowded, noisy streets of Manhattan at the 'Top of the Rock' Observatory in the heart of Rockefeller Center. Seeking shelter from the freezing winds at twilight, just as the lights of the skyline were starting to come to life, Kristin told Chris that "Yes!" she would happily be his wife and love him forever and ever.
And now, here we are -- ready to dive head first into all that life and love has to offer us. That's our story, and we both hope you all will come to bear witness and share in the celebration of our lasting love.
((To read Chris' entire blog post about the engagement, visit his online journal here))