geoff and kory blum

It was also love at first sight for Astros third baseman Geoff Blum and his wife, Kory. She tells the story of their first meeting in ’99 in Los Angeles.

“My best friend and roommate Lisa Smith planned an evening out for us to meet some other friends. When she introduced me to Geoff, he stood up, turned to greet me, and then and there I melted. I loved his gorgeous smile and his stunning blue eyes —I felt I would really enjoy getting to know him. We danced together all night.”

“I fell in love with Geoff because I felt a part of him,” she says. “When we hugged there was a deep connection that we still feel today. I have never laughed so hard or been so carefree. I loved his easy-going personality, his love of life, and was delighted to find we had dreams of common goals.

“We stepped into the long distance relationship a few months later, but after a ton of phone bills, flights and lonely moments, I moved to Ottawa, Canada, for the remainder of the season. He was called up that August, and the exciting whirlwind began. ”

But how did they manage with so much time apart on his busy schedule, then and now? “We are dedicated to

Geoff proposed on Aug. 22, 2000.

Said Kory: “I was incredibly surprised and knew without a doubt that this was the man I wanted to grow old with, to laugh with, to never be without. He was really nervous at first that day on the beach at Santa Monica in California, trying to find the right thing to say. I think about this day often and at first I giggle. But then when I remember when he finally opened that velvet box and said those four little words —‘Will you marry me?’—and my eyes fill up with tears. I can vividly remember grabbing him, saying ‘yes’ and not letting go! It wasn’t until a few minutes later that he asked: ‘Do you want this ring?’”

They wed January 2001, and now have four children, have been with five teams, blessed with one World Series ring and so many wonderful memories, as Kory says.

juan and sarah gonzalez

Celebrity Chef Juan Carlos Gonzalez tells a story that survived storm and disaster. Ten years ago when he started with the Brennan ’s family of restaurants in New Orleans, he never dreamed that he’d be the celebrity chef in Bistro Alex, Brennan’s newest attraction in Houston. After ravage from fire and Hurricane Ike, Brennan fans were appalled to lose the landmark restaurant, but delighted that Alex Brennan opened two new bistros while the original location is under repair.

Add to that Juan Carlos’ delight of becoming a bridegroom, uniting with his sweetheart in a beautiful ceremony, after an unusual proposal. Here ’s the story.

As Juan Carlos said: “While Sarah was in architecture school in New Orleans, she was waiting tables in a French Quarter restaurant. She has a beautiful smile, and she was always smiling and laughing. Not only that, but her

Sarah was equally impressed. “The first time I saw Juan Carlos I got goose bumps,” she said. “I knew that he was going to change my life. Not only was he very handsome, but he gave me a feeling that he was meant for me. ”

Juan Carlos obviously felt the same way, because he surprised her with a proposal in September of ’07. He took her to Sunni Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico.

“I packed a cooler with champagne and lunch bites and we headed for the beach. I actually proposed in the water. The rest is history, ” he said.

His advice on maintaining a happy marriage? “Always listen to your lady. Women have an intuition that men just don’t. Behind every great man is an even greater woman.”