A Love Story Blooms in the Bronx
There are a handful of days that are imprinted in our minds forever. Some of those days are happenstance-like the birth of a child; whereas others-like engagements and weddings, are planned. Louis W. Colon III, a man who embodies Brooklyn, planned to have one of the most memorable and important days of his life take place in the Bronx.
On March 7th 2015, on the opening night of the New York Botanical Garden's Night Orchid Show, Louis aka Lou asked Kathryn Jordan to marry him, and she said yes! Here's their love story.
Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourselves.
We are both proud Native Nuyoricans.
Louis W. Colon III - Bed Stuy, Brooklyn.
Kathryn Jordan - New York, New York, “so good they named it twice!” I was born and raised in Manhattan.
How did you guys meet?
Lou: I was out with a group of friends including one of my oldest friends, and she brought a friend of hers. This new friend was actually Kat’s best friend. As we hung out through the night, we shared Instagram accounts, and I immediately asked her, "Who's that?!"
The person I was asking about was Kathryn. She said jokingly, “That’s my bff. She's actually texting me now.” I said, Invite her here so I can meet her.” She gave me her phone and said, “You invite her.”
I took her phone and began to write what is now the opening line in our relationship. I gave her the 60 second pitch via text including texting my full name, haha.
Lou, a Met fan, can't hide his dislike of being at a Yankee game. Kat on the other hand is enjoying it!
She was at a Yankee game and was confused about who this guy was on her friends' phone. Kat ended up coming to pick up her friend and was across the street from the bar where we were. I happened to be the first person outside and after seeing her Instagram pics, I said, “Kathryn?” -and that’s where it all began.
Kathryn: Yes, that was a great summary of how it all began… Now the story of how we went on our first date? That is much longer! I can never tell an abridged version; mine is always long, haha.
Was your first date a typical dinner and a movie?
Our first date was at Pipas Tapas bar (which is no longer there; it's now ABC Cocina). It was a hot summer night; (there was) great food, sangria, beautiful chandeliers hanging everywhere, and good convo! It was followed by a nice walk, and a nightcap at a neighborhood bar.
How long have you been dating?
We were dating for about 2 years and 3 months before we became engaged. This summer will make 3 years from when we first met.
Lou, when did it hit you that Kathryn was the one?
I knew from day one. I know that's the go-to cheesy answer, but she can tell you that when we first met, I said, "You are going to be my girlfriend." I brought up marriage and family very, very early in our dating phase.
Kathryn, when did it hit you that Lou was the one?
Everyone saw it even before I did, (they would say), “He’s the one Kathryn.” For me, the moment I knew he was the one, or rather when it really hit me, was when he threw me a brunch birthday within our first year together. This was the first time both of our families were meeting, so that was big. As I said my speech thanking everyone for coming, I got so emotional seeing both sides of the families celebrating this special day he planned for me at a loft in Dumbo (with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge). I also can't forget that iconic moment when I was making my birthday wish and his mother yelled out, “5 Karats!!!” haha.
When I initially saw the pics on IG I thought to myself, "This looks like the NY Botanical Garden in the Bronx, but it’s Lou! He’s Mr. 'Live from Bedford-Stuyvesant, the livest one Representing BK to the fullest.'"
Still representing too.
Lou, what made you choose the NY Botanical Garden to propose?
Well, all credit is due to my sister who made the suggestion for the NY Botanical Garden. In my head, I wanted to do it at Grand Central Station. Once I found out that the Orchid Chandelier show was happening and knew that the orchid is Kat’s favorite flower, I decided that this was it.
Kathryn, were you surprised?
I was insanely surprised! Usually I pick up on little clues here and there, and this time I didn't; he totally pulled it off. I even told him right before he proposed, “Babe this looks like a scene out of Hitch, where the guy would rent out this beautiful place for a private session and propose.” A few seconds later, he told me to look up into the orchid chandelier to see the view, and when I looked down, he was on his knee!! I thought he was teasing me for my Hitch comment, and I kept saying, "Is this really happening?!" As cliche as it sounds, I literally told him, “Pinch me- am I dreaming??” He started out by saying, “You know you are the love of my life. I asked your dad and family for your hand in marriage.…” The rest was all a blur, because I was crying and smiling of extreme excitement. His proposal was better than I could have ever imagined.
Do either of you have ties to the Bronx?
Kat: I have family that lives there, so all my memories are from visiting loved ones.
Lou: No ties to the BX other than the great hip hop artists that came out the BX like KRS One, Fat Joe, and Big Pun… And can't leave out JLo!
We all have our preconceived notions of the Bronx- some good, some bad. Prior to the engagement, what was the first word that came to mind after mentioning the Bronx?
Lou: As a Brooklyn kid we didn't go to the Bronx. It's seemed like another world in a distant land that you needed 3 trains and 2 hours to get to. The main thing I associated with the BX was with the Yankees. As a Mets fan I never cared for them but loved baseball so I always knew what the "other team" was doing and how the season was going.
What’s the first word that comes to mind now?
Lou: Burning. Not from the era when this happened, but I always associated "The Bronx is Burning" with a bad time in NYC history.
Kathryn: Beginning. Our engagement is the beginning of many amazing new memories to be made, a wedding to be planned, and a beautiful future to look forward to.
Have you established any traditions?
Our traditions are ones that we carry from our respective families who are both Puerto Rican and have the tradition of large holiday gatherings. We haven't created our own, yet, but we look forward to new ones.
If you call watching all our favorite Sunday night shows together traditions, then we can throw that in there, haha.
Kathryn, does your shoe collection rival Lou’s?
I have A LOT!!! But I think he takes this one... After all, that is his industry!
I met Lou in 2006 through his sneaker publication, Kicksclusive Magazine, where I got my first start as a contributing writer and editor. He was also the owner of Laces, a female sneaker boutique. I'm guessing Lou’s sneaker collection has grown since those days.
Are you ready to share closet space?!
Kat: No!! haha we just need to build more closets! There are definitely clothes that need to be donated and a lot of rearranging!
Lou: Never! Haha… This is my drive to make sure we have a home with enough space for all of our stuff!
What two words would you use to describe each other?
Lou: She is my Better Half.
Kathryn: Only two?? Love & Future… he’s the love of my life!
Any other plans to make more memories in the Bronx?
Hopefully come back to the orchid chandelier show to actually take it all in. We didn't get to enjoy the show to its potential because we were celebrating. And also to continue to visit our family!
We thank you for sharing your amazing story! All the best to the Jordan-Colon union!
