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Story
Randy + Kim Photos by: Kristine Paulsen Photography kristinepaulsenphotography.com
Who are you?
Kimberly Anne Strain and Randy Lee Jones
How did you meet?
Kim: Randy and I attended the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 2010 outdoor concert at the Lumberjack Saloon in Lolo, Montana. The music made me want to swing dance, so I walked up to a pair of strangers that had just finished dancing a song and asked the male partner if he wouldn’t mind dancing a song with me. That was RANDY—he danced with me. Randy: We parted ways that night, but met again at the Sunrise Saloon in November 2010 on the dance floor. We hit it off right away.
The proposal?
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Randy arrived at Kim’s house at 5A.M. and went straight to sleep after a long day and night of travel. (He had been visiting her parents in California to ask her parents’ permission and blessing, and his flights had been delayed.) Kim got up around 9A.M. and let him sleep while doing Yoga and making brunch around 11A.M. After brunch was made, she woke him up and served him breakfast in bed. After taking a few bites of breakfast, Randy cleared his throat and asked Kim, “So, do you want to get hitched?” Surprised, Kim said, “What?!” He said again, “Do you want to get hitched?” Kim was still
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surprised, not knowing if that was a serious proposal or not. She looked dazed and confused so Randy broke the silence, “Well, I know you do, so I guess I’ll just give you your ring!” Needless to say, the ring wasn’t even on him!
Fun facts?
When they first met, the couple tried to make small talk. Kim was looking to buy a horse--- and Randy had one that he tried to sell her! They sold the horse a year later to a man who bought the horse for his little boy. The 6 year old melted their hearts with the joy of having his first horse! Before they started dating, Randy had a horse named Pea and Kim had a horse named Q. They still own these horses and make jokes on the horse trails “to mind their P’s & Q’s”. Randy received his grandparents' rings for him and Kim.
Kim learned how to ride side-saddle for the wedding, as a possibility.
What is love?
Love is a feeling that is not spoken. Love for Kim and Randy is in quality time spent together. It is the sharing of goals and the encouragement to shoot for the stars. It is the everyday companionship, the
riding together, the roping, the chores and the conversation. Randy could build saddles in one room while Kimberly cooks in another— although not in the same room, it is the togetherness that builds their love.
What do you love most about each other? Kim: Randy is thoughtful. He may not buy flowers or write me poems like what is considered “romantic” in movies. Instead he helps me clean, do dishes, build a fence for my garden and even saddles my horse for me. Randy teaches me without arrogance, he is patient without irritability, and he is a good listener with thoughtful insight. He helps me find peace in a fast moving world, and he cherishes me for who I am. Randy: Her ability to encourage me to reach for my goals and the knowledge that she will be there for me through the ups and downs of life. She is a hard worker. She isn’t afraid to get dirty, but likes to clean up and be a woman.
When did you know you were in love?
There never was a specific date. In the spring of 2011 everything seemed to come together. Dating, family, God, and being together became important. Not that our relationship wasn’t important before, but there was a strong, new passion for each other.