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FIRST MET
100% accurately portrayed in the graphic novel "The Adventures of Kelli and Ben," this is when Kelli and Ben first met at the residence of Auden, Cody, and Zach. Both mutually hit it off...after Ben stopped ignoring Kelli. Unfortunately, this meeting was cut short by a surprise visit from the police. -
BONFIRE
The very next day after meeting, Kelli and Ben had a chance encounter on the beach by the Mississippi River for a bonfire. According to others, throughout the night consisted of Ben and Kelli talking to each other nonstop. -
THREE WEEKS...
The next two weeks consisted of regular (yet sparatic) meetings between Kelli and Ben. These would include watching horror movies (V/H/S and the original Evil Dead) at Ben's apartment, a karaoke night that Ben will never hear the end of, more bonfires, all sexual tension being vanquished, and a taco night with Kelli's regulars. -
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Three weeks...
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THIS PICTURE HAPPENED
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ZOMBIEFIED
One of the earlier things Ben and Kelli did before they became "official." Ben was extremely impressed from Kelli's talent in horror cosmetics and wished to have a try. Kelli enjoyed Ben attempting to rip the flesh off his face. -
"EXCLUSIVE"
The entire day was spend running errands together such as printing off Kelli's train ticket and picking out formal wear for Ben's rehearsal dinner in San Diego. Ben dropped Kelli off at the train station and kept her company until its arrival (creating their love child, Phin, to pass the time). Once the train left, Ben asked Kelli if she would like to be "exclusive." Even if this step should have been skipped to just dating, he will always remember Kelli's blushing smile, saying "Yes." -
SAN DIEGO TEXTING
Ben has left for six days to attend his older brother, Joe's, wedding in San Diego. During this time, this would be nonstop texting between Kelli and Ben. The majority of which would be a true getting-to-know you process. Asking questions ranging from what are your ten favorite animals to what are your opinions on religion and politics. It may not seem like much, but to Ben, after each text, it was another confirmation that he would very much like to officially start dating Kelli. -
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San Diego texting nonstop
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OFFICIALLY STARTED DATING (:
When Ben arrived back from his San Diego adventure and older brother's wedding, he and Kelli had dinner at Perkins and officially became "boyfriend and girlfriend" realizing that being "exclusive" was an unnecessary step). The rest of the night consisted of the duo referring to each other as "BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND," "DEAR," "SWEETY," "SNOOKUMS," etc...while simultaneously commenting to the other how it feels weird to be in a relationship again. And finally, Planet Earth. -
KELLI DRAWS HER MAN
Such beauty. Such accuracy. Such Ben. -
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Ben's first visit to Chanhassen
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BEN'S FIRST VISIT TO CHANHASSEN
Many happenings occured throughout the weekend, including: James Franco the Puppy, The Walker, The Sculpture Garden, bubble tea and a head shop, double date with Andrea Dennis and Ross Aaron at Olive Garden and that one amazing ice cream place, church, Ben meeting the famous Snickers, Jack, Tom, and Joe (whose birthday we were celebrating!). -
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Ben's second visit to Chanhassen
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APPLEPICKING
After arriving a day earlier than expected, Ben enjoyed the company of Snickers and Jack as he worked on Art History homework. The next day, Ben and Kelli went to Mall of America to shop for apparel for tomorrow's fashion show and Halloween (they had amazingly priced Burger King as well). Afterwards, with the company of Sharon, they went applepicking and exposed Ben to the candybarn. At the end of the night, Kelli and Ben went to see the movie Prisoners. -
AVEDA BREAST CANCER FASHION SHOW
Ben was lucky enough to atend Kelli's wonderfully (and aesthetically) put together fashion show, run by her school, Aveda, with her parents. Kelli's group's theme was superheroes, in which Kelli had a chance to briefly show off her spunky punches. Afterwards, Kelli, Ben, Sharon, and Tom had a dinner at a nearby sportsbar (and Tom and Ben complimented the pumpkin flavored beer). -
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Kelli visits for Homecoming
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HOMECOMING
Kelli comes down to visit for Winona's Homecoming! Ben had to work at Fleet Farm in the morning, unfortunatey, but he would eventually catch up to Kelli after his shift. However, unable to continue drinking, he had a chance to show off his nurturing skills. -
BATMAN HALLOWEEN
Stout onward!!! Kelli met Ben at his former college, UW-Stout, to participate in an extravagant Batman Halloween, where there were ten people dressed as different Batman characters. Dressed as the Joker and his squeeze, Harley Quinn, Kelli got to meet some of Ben's closest friends: Josh Nelson (Bane), Sean Rueter (Black Widow), and Alex Williams (Reptar). Kelli's makeup perfection for Ben's face was endlessly complimented. -
I LOVE YOU
Ben surprised Kelli with an early birthday present! A weekend visit, homemade chicken candlelit dinner, and a framed picture that had become ridiculously loved by the public. Throughout the night, Ben was trying to find a proper segway into saying "I love you," but chickened out. Laying in bed for a few minutes, Ben then anxiously got up, walked to Kelli's room, kissed her on the forehead, and said "I love you." In which she replied, "I love you, too. I'm so glad I can say that now." -
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Ben's third visit to Chanhassen
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ST. PIERRE vs. HENDRICKS
Because of Ben's surprise visit, Kelli had nothing planned for the weekend. Ben decided it was then a good time to simply drive around and show Kelli where he grew up, Lakeville. The two then played arcade games at the Lakeville movie theater (including Ben's favorite as a kid, X-Men!!!!!). Afterwards, Kelli and Ben went to Mall of America to watch an epic UFC showdown between St. Pierre and Hendricks, with the company of Kelli's Aveda friends. -
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Ben visits for Thanksgiving
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THANKSGIVING
Ben attends the Meschke family Thanksgiving!! The first night over, Kelli and Ben watched Dumbo (and cried). On Thanksgiving Day, the two enjoyed a DELICIOUS Thanksgiving feast prepared by Tom and Sharon. Later on, after a much needed nap, the Meschke's exposed Ben to PunkinChunkin, and the boardgame Labyrinth. -
BEN STAYS WITH KELLI FOR WINTER
Finals have finished at Winona, and Ben has taken the train to stay with Kelli at her new apartment in Vadnais Heights. For the next five days, Ben will be working on "The Adventures of Kelli and Ben" for Kelli's Christmas present while she is at school. When he finally gives the finished project to Kelli, she is overwhelmed with tears of joy. -
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Ben stays for Winter Break
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ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, REMAINDER OF STAY
After spending time with his family in Maryland, Kelli picks up Ben from the airport so he can spend more time with her before his return to Winona. That night, Ben's friends (Josh Nelson, Zaid Hunitie, Dave Skradski, Joe Waldbillig, and Levi Nellen) join Ben, Kelli, and Megan Johnson in their apartment for a jolly night of drinking. -
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Ben stays for Winter Break, revisited
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NEW YEAR'S EVE
Kelli and Megan are throwing a housewarming/New Year's Eve party in their new apartment. Plenty of guests come to join in (including Auden, Zach, Olivia, and many others). This is Kelli's first New Year's Eve kiss...which was very politcally correct. -
KELLI LOSES HER VIRGINITY TO GEORGE R.R. MARTIN
Kelli comes down to Winona to take advantage of Ben's three-day-weekend. Beginning with a surprise invitation from Ben's grandparents for a free trip to Virginia to meet his family (which has to be turned down), Ben and Kelli enjoyed an outing at Auden and co. The rest of the weekend consisted of Kelli watching Game of Thrones for the first time, showing Ben Kelli's favorite movie (The Life Aquatic) for the first time. -
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Kelli visits Winona for 3-day-weekend
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Kelli visits for the Superbowl
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SUPERBOWL
Kelli and Megan drove down to Winona to spend a Saturday night with the usual people. Ben's time with Kelli the first night, however, had to be cut short due to a drunken asthma attack. The next day was Superbowl Sunday. Kelli joined Ben and his friends for a potluck..enjoying...a...subpar game. -
VALENTINE'S DAY
On Valentine's Day, Kelli and Ben enjoyed a sushi double date with Cody and Olivia. Kelli received Snoopy, fatal chocolates, roses, and a drawing from Ben. And in return, gave Ben awesome Star Wars equipment. -
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Valentine's Weekend
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SPRING BREAK BEGINS
After 25 days of being apart, Ben visits Kelli to enjoy some much needed alone time together. This was kicked off by a fort made of blankets and pillows, hours of watching Pokemon, and a night of drinking and hookah with Megan, Marley, and Steph. -
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SPRING BREAK
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COMO ZOO AND MALL OF AMERICA
Kelli and Ben kickstart a few private dates with the Como Zoo in beautiful sunny 50 degrees weather! Kelli discovers she can love a select few species of monkeys. After stopping at Caribou Coffee, the two head to Mall of America to dress Ben up in "fashionable" clothes...however, there was a poor selection to chose from. That night was spent watching The Dark Knight Returns. -
INDOOR WATERPARK
Ben and Kelli took Sharon out for a delicious breakfast in Edina. Afterwards, the two spent time at the indoor waterpark in the Minneapolis Depot. Regardless of being twice the age of everyone there, it was loads of fun. For the next hour, the two won 250-some tickets in the arcade and received prizes from a worker filled with disdain. -
ST. PADDY'S DAY PARTY IN WINONA
Ben left for Winona the night before, and was reunited with Kelli later on in the day for Ben's friends' annual St. Paddy' Day BLOWOUT. Four kegs tapped out at 6:30pm. Kelli and Ben left around that time and watched more Pokemon with Sean Rueter, Mike Whiting, and Stephen Rydberg in Ben's apartment.
