Their Story
A Journey Through the Years
The Devanney Christmas Party
Kathy met Dave completely by accident at a Christmas Eve party at the Devanneys in Winsted. Her sister Mel had asked her to come along for company. They found out they both went to UConn.
A Beer Bash at UConn
Back on campus, they met up again at a Beer Bash — purely by accident, and the start of a casual friendship and many study breaks. Kathy would not go out with Dave because he had senior-itis and was too ragged, long hair and all.
Dave Graduates, Shapes Up and Shows Up
Dave appeared at Kathy's house in West Hartford, all dressed up with short hair from a wedding he'd attended. It looked like he had turned over a new leaf. A real relationship began. They went out every two weeks that summer while Dave worked construction, not having found a career yet.
Kathy Graduates
Kathy graduates from UConn, gets a job at Bridgeport Hospital, and moves to Milford.
Florida, Against All Advice
After four years of dating, Dave and Kathy took a camping trip to Florida against her parents' wishes. Shortly after returning, they decided to get married. When Dave went to ask her father for his blessing, her father said: "When did you find out she was pregnant?" Then: "What do you want, a big wedding or the money?" Dave said: "Actually Ollie, I want both!" Her father replied: "I like a man who doesn't compromise. We'll get along just fine."
Wedding Day
Married at St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford. Reception at Wampanoag Country Club. Honeymoon at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. They moved into a third floor walk-up on Roseland Ave in Waterbury and saved their money.
First House
They bought a two-family home on Hart St. in Watertown. Kathy worked at Meriden-Wallingford Hospital; Dave continued at Timberland. They fixed up the first floor and rented out the upper level to build their foundation.
Farmdale
They moved to a single family home on Farmdale — the house that would become the heart of the Goulet family. It's where the boys grew up, where the memories were made, and where Dave and Kathy eventually decided to renovate rather than ever leave.
Jonathan Andrew Goulet
Jonathan arrived on Election Day. Being the responsible citizen she is, Kathy stopped to vote on her way to the hospital. She switched to home care P.T. for the flexibility — because caring for the kids always came first.
Daniel Robert Goulet
Their second son arrived. Dave's home office was converted into the nursery, so a new office was built in the basement. Dave said he was going to the dungeon to work.
A New Job
With new responsibilities, Dave needed a better paying job. He started at F&W, where he still works today on a semi-retired basis.
Matthew Thomas Goulet
Their third son was born. With three boys, life was busy.
The Renovation
The house was getting too small. Dave designed the entire renovation himself, found a builder, and the family moved out for seven months while the work was done. They moved back in November 1998.
Back to the Brush
With the boys getting older, Kathy signed up for an adult education watercolor class — picking up where she had left off years earlier, when raising three boys had crowded out the canvases. She has been painting ever since, and it has remained one of the great joys of her life.
Out West
Jonathan graduated from Holy Cross, and the family celebrated with a road trip out west — Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. They visited the Grand Canyon, explored Arches National Park, and rafted down the Colorado River. The kind of trip that becomes family legend. Kathy also went back to work inside at Apple Rehab now that the kids were older.
25th Anniversary
A party at home with both families, then a trip to Bermuda by themselves.
Jonathan & Loi Marry
Jonathan and Loi got married in Bristol, RI — on October 16th, the same anniversary as Dave and Kathy. Some things run in the family.
Clara, First Grandchild
Clara picked Thanksgiving Day to make her debut, which meant Jon and Loi had a lot to be thankful for — and a turkey dinner to reschedule. Dave and Kathy flew out to San Jose to meet her shortly after.
Lincoln Goulet
Their second grandchild, Lincoln Goulet, was born in Wellesley.
Daniel's PhD
Daniel defended his PhD at UNC in November 2018. Years of work, late nights, and dedication — done. He moved back to Cambridge, MA shortly after for a new job.
Rhode Island
After vacationing in Rhode Island every year for over 35 years, they decided to buy a little cottage. After months of searching, they found a house in South Kingstown — a dream of living on the Rhode Island shore. They rented it for a year with a contract to buy at the end.
30 Corey Rd.
They bought the house on 30 Corey Rd. in RI. Life there has settled into a rhythm that suits them perfectly — walks on the beach, afternoons by the pool Dave always wanted, watercolor classes at the community center for Kathy, and the kind of quiet that only comes from knowing you're exactly where you're supposed to be.
Matt & Kat's Wedding
Matt and Kat married in Houston. Dave and Kathy toured Austin and Houston for the occasion — their first big trip in a while, as Dave had been managing pain from neuropathy that made walking difficult.
Dan & Lida Engaged
Lida and Daniel got engaged in Provincetown, MA. Wedding set for August 28, 2027.
Annabel Kathleen Goulet
Kat went into labor during a blizzard. With their car completely buried in a snowbank, Matt furiously shoveled it out and drove to the hospital. Some people just know how to make an entrance.
Fifty Years
"It's been a wonderful 50 years."