Many people dream of marrying the one and staying with them for decades. For the Kell’s this dream is a reality. As of last year, Alyssa and Johnny Kell (aka Ms. Kell and Nurse Johnny) celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii.
They first met in middle school when A. Kell moved to town after her dad became the new pastor of J. Kell’s church.
For the next few years, A. Kell was close friends with J. Kell’s sister. But when their friendship went through a rough patch, a friendship between J. Kell and A. Kell began to bloom.
In January 1995, the two went on a ski trip together. “It was kind of our first [moment], where we were like interested in each other,” J. Kell said.
It wouldn’t be until May that they had their first official date. They went on to date for two years in high school but then separated for around six years while A. Kell went to college, and J. Kell lived in Hawaii.
They stayed in contact during this time. A. Kell attended J. Kell’s college graduation and his sister’s wedding, and he talked on the phone and through email.
Once they had reconnected and started dating again their relationship moved fast.
“We knew it was serious pretty quick,” A. Kell said. “The break up was kinda messy in high school, so we weren’t gonna do this again unless it was for real.”
Soon thereafter they went on a weekend trip to the Morro Bay area. J. Kell had made reservations for a hot spring and A. Kell had a suspicion J. Kell was going to propose, but she went back and forth on whether or not he would. While A. Kell was feeling conflicted J. Kell had another surprise up his sleeve.
He has secretly packed a box of chocolates to give her at the hot springs. A. Kell was already surprised when J. Kell pulled out the box, due to him not being able to keep secrets. But when she opened the box she was hit with another surprise. There was a ring placed in one of the chocolates.
Getting engaged was a rush of emotions for the pair. “It was kind of crazy, you think that you’ve made the decision,” J. Kell said. “ then you do it and you’re like ‘Wow, I can’t believe I just did that.’”
After about a year of engagement, the Kells married in 2004. They would go on to work together at Americorps, which specifically hired them as a couple due to the daily commutes to Hoopa and Garberville. Later they would both take jobs at Arcata High to continue working together. After many years of marriage, the couple now has two children and are happily continuing their life.
“Being together this long,” J. Kell said. “It’s all about communication, patience, and choosing that person.”
