Katie and James agree their love story started in the perfect place and at the perfect time in life when they were both ready for each other’s love. It did not take any time at all to figure out how much they had in common. In their first conversation, while cataloging their many shared loves, James even remarked that it seemed “our Venn diagram might just be a circle.” To this day, James’ name in Katie’s phone is “James Linhardt Venn Diagram.” James’ nickname for Katie, “Honey Bones,” was inspired after a summer pool day at friends Tyler and Brittni’s, but that is a much longer story. Suffice to say, James says it describes Katie perfectly – sweetness that starts in her bones and radiates outward for all to see.
The day of their first date, June 28, 2023, was not surprisingly a sweltering 108 degrees. Also not surprisingly, Katie was looking her best. But having come straight from work, her outfit choice had to be both work- and date-appropriate. Having brought multiple potential outfits to the office (the girl loves options), she landed on a pencil skirt and orange blazer. (Rach knows Katie also loves a good blouse.) Although not his normal work-from-home attire, James knew he would have to match Katie’s sense of style, and they both braved the heat in their multi-layered finest. (James did not wear a pencil skirt.)
The next night, Katie and James were each having dinner with friends and decided to meet up at Frida for a nightcap to be able to see each other again. Thinking James might be too good to be true, Katie also wanted to meet James’ friends to make sure he truly was the real deal. Luckily, Katie was reassured to say the least. (Thanks friends! Sincerely, James.) James already had a feeling Katie was everything he’d hoped for, but this fact was fully confirmed while James was walking Katie back to her car. Walking out with them, Katie’s friend Jess kindly sped ahead to give them time to “chat.” James then took the opportunity in the middle of the Frida parking lot to go in for a first kiss. Luckily, his boldness paid off. However, little did either of them know they were blocking James’ friends from leaving. With headlights shining on them, Katie looked over James’ shoulder and with a smile threw up a peace sign to them. James now knew, in addition to her kindness and good looks, that Katie had that special “panache,” which very quickly turned his like into love.
After confirming their Venn Diagram was, in fact, a single circle, they were off to the races spending virtually every day together. James expressed it well in his first gift to Katie, a gardening book in which he wrote a letter commemorating the first two weeks as seeming like “pinch me moment after pinch me moment.”
Katie remembers she soon found herself singing in the shower, around the house, and on the way to work, “So This Is Love” from Lady and the Tramp. James, not remembering the words to the song, couldn’t sing it to himself, but he felt the same way just as quickly; so much so that a couple weeks into their relationship he created their 2023 version of a nostalgic sharpie-labeled mixed tape entitled “Katie’s Super Special Playlist” with songs that made him think of Katie. This playlist has become a long-running list of their favorite love songs (lots of Ben Rector), which often provides the backdrop of their time spent together – from mundane weeknights cooking together to the most special of moments including their proposal.
James soon met Katie’s mom over a lovely dinner at the Metro. (Not surprisingly, he passed with flying colors.) The real test came, however, a month into their relationship, when Katie’s dad was in town for a car auction. James and Katie soon found out that, not only was Katie’s dad coming, but so was virtually every other Wilmes. (As any Altusian knows, where one Wilmes appears many soon will follow.) Uncle after uncle came up to meet James and measure him up. Also there, were Katie’s brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews Grayson and Hudson. The eleven-year-old gatekeeper of the family, Grayson, also needed to sniff out whether James was the real deal. Seven-year-old Hudson on the other hand, dove right in and proceeded to show James every single photo on his mom’s phone, starting from the day he was born. Of particular highlight was a very old photo including one of Katie’s past boyfriends, to which Hudson declared: “He used to be our favorite, but now you’re our favorite.” Overhearing this, Hudson’s mom, Denise, hushed him to a bit less candor as they all joined in laughter. From that day forward, James has loved getting to know both Grayson and Hudson, and they definitely have become “his favorites” as well.
Leading up to New Years Eve, Katie and James decided to ring in 2024 in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Instagram, having finally done some good for once, pointed them to the most quaint and picturesque Inn in the Highlands area. They spent the long weekend flyfishing (with their custom hats) and taking in the mountain air and waterfalls (including “Bridal Veil Falls”). Already daydreaming about bringing family and friends back to this special place, James and Katie knew this would be the perfect backdrop to say their “I dos.” Now, they look forward to a lifetime of making memories in a place that already holds so much significance to both of them…..and perhaps a national golf membership for James at High Hampton too.
Back at home in Oklahoma, James knew the perfect place to pop the question was on Katie’s back patio where they’d had their most significant conversations about life and their future. However, first he needed to procure the ring. Many months before, he’d chosen and ordered the perfect one, but its delivery was a few weeks delayed. Being the risk-averse person he is, James was hesitant to set a proposal date in stone until the goods were in-hand. Also, he wanted to be able to show the ring to Katie’s dad when asking for his blessing.
The ring wasn’t ready until the afternoon before Good Friday, just in time for Katie and James to head to Altus for Easter weekend. Luckily Jeff was helpful in setting up a ruse, and after their arrival announced he and James needed to go “pick up some ice” together. Who knew it took four hours to pick up ice!?! While Katie’s suspicions were certainly piqued, little did she know Jeff and James had driven all around town, to the farm, and up to Lake Altus to the Wilmes’ cabin. Before James could get too far into his well-prepared speech, Jeff graciously interjected that he had expected James would ask him this particular question and quickly gave James a heartfelt yes. Jeff and James returned from the lake with two big smiles…and zero bags of ice.
Later that evening, James let slip to Katie that he’d asked for her dad’s blessing. Beaming the next morning, as Katie was getting ready with her mom for church, Jeff walked in, and Katie said she’d heard he and James had a “sweet conversation.” Jeff played it cool, but then with a tear in his eye, Jeff confirmed he “could not imagine a more perfect person” for Katie. As Jeff turned to go (because not surprisingly, Katie was going to make them late for church…an age-old tale really), Jeff mentioned, “And it’s the most beautiful ring you’ve ever seen.” In complete surprise, Katie exclaimed “What! He already has the ring?!”
With blessing (and the ring) in hand, James couldn’t wait to propose. Fortuitously, James and Katie had planned on visiting a special plant nursery in Stillwater, Oklahoma the morning of “the day.” With gardening being one of their common loves, it was the perfect start to the day for both. After packing Katie’s car to the brim with flowers, they hightailed back to Oklahoma City to get ready for what Katie had been told was a dinner date at Red Rock Canyon Grill.
While this day was unseasonably warm and windy, James was determined to utilize something from his garden that he and Katie had worked so hard on building that spring. Luckily the white rose bush was exploding with blooms at the perfect time. James sweatily began pruning as many as he could. It turns out that roses have thorns. Running out of time to get ready, James wrapped up this painful but very worthwhile endeavor and placed the roses in the green vase he’d handpicked and bought just for the occasion. (As he would later come to learn, this particular green Vietri vase was one Katie had always loved and wanted.)
Back at Katie’s house, James had enlisted some of Katie’s friends to keep her busy on the phone while she got ready for their “Red Rock date” and he set up everything on the patio. As Katie walked into the living room, James asked her to come outside for a glass of champagne before leaving. As James led her to the patio, Katie could hear the familiar sounds of their “Super Special Playlist” playing in the background.
Sitting in their “spots” on the couch, James held Katie’s hands and, unable to wait, began sharing all that he wanted to say – immediately making it clear to Katie what she’d hoped was happening. James eventually kneeled in front of Katie and asked her to be his wife. While Katie immediately responded with all positive signs and words of loving sentiment, the magic word “yes” somehow had not quite yet come. Both being attorneys, James had to be sure. After a long embrace and with happy tears flowing, James asked if he could “take that as a yes.” With Katie’s resounding, “a thousand times yes,” the offer was accepted, and at last there was a meeting of the minds.
James then read Katie a letter he’d started writing nearly six months prior. Encapsulating the letter, he beautifully expressed: “When I see you I see the best of everyone that has made me who I am.” In the same token, it’s a rare occasion when Katie is not singing from the rooftops (Lady and the Tramp song included) how enamored she is by the man James is and the kind of husband he will be. Yes, they recognize how sometimes nauseating their love bubble can be.
But as they both agree…