Easy decision: OSU's Lane Taylor and Kasey Noel knew what they had, so they got married
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Thursday, December 13, 2012
12/13/12 at 5:11 AM
STILLWATER - Sandwiched between spring drills and summer workouts, Oklahoma State offensive lineman Lane Taylor got married.
A senior and a four-year starter, Lane tied the knot in May with his girlfriend of three years, Kasey Noel.
"I kind of always had that feeling," Lane said. "Ever since I met her, I knew she was something special.
"We had a lot of hobbies in common and she was just someone I knew could be my best friend and I could be with her every moment."
The couple met in a government class in the summer of 2009, a course Lane ultimately dropped.
"I thought he was shy," Kasey said. "He wouldn't really carry on a conversation. You could tell he was nervous."
Despite that, Lane and Kasey got to know each other a little during class but became better friends in the weeks after Lane dropped.
Because they started dating in early September, right before Lane's first career start (against Rice), football has always been a significant part of their lives together.
For Kasey, who grew up in Ponca City, paying attention to the Cowboys' games was a new experience. She was a diehard Oklahoma fan before getting a scholarship to OSU, and even now hasn't fully exchanged crimson for orange.
"It's always going to be a work in progress," she said. "I'm never going to be a full-on OSU fan. I'm obviously supportive to my husband, so we'll see what happens when the season is over."
But because of Lane, Kasey has attended every OSU home game since 2009, and she has traveled to every away game since Lane's sophomore season.
Only a year into their relationship, both knew they had found the one they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with. On Valentine's Day 2011, Lane cooked Kasey a steak dinner and took her to OSU's Library Lawn, where he got down on one knee and proposed.
"She knew it was coming because I have nervous habits," Lane said. "I was so nervous and she kind of guessed it. I knew she'd say yes, but it's a really nerve-wracking time for a guy."
Planning a wedding was tricky because of Lane's schedule, but because he wanted to be involved in the decision-making, they took advantage of bye weeks and the offseason.
The ceremony was May 11 in Arlington, Texas. (Kasey's family moved to Fort Worth when she was in seventh grade, and Lane grew up less than half an hour away.) Lane's best man was former teammate Levy Adcock and Cowboy center Evan Epstein was a groomsman.
"I wasn't planning on (getting married) until after I got out of school, but with football we have to plan our lives around his schedule," Kasey said. "We couldn't really plan a wedding for this next year with his career."
For seven months, Kasey and Lane have made marriage work, despite juggling it with school and her job and his football.
"Every day is a new adventure," Kasey said. "We have fun together."
They like each other so much, Kasey and Lane spend every free moment together, including finding classes they both can take. When Lane stays with the team the night before games, he is always on the phone with his wife. Naturally, he gets some ribbing from his teammates.
"We'll go have fun on the weekend hanging out with each other, and he'll be at home watching TV with his wife," Epstein said. "Who does that? But it's obviously hard for us to understand.
"It's a perfect situation for him. If you knew him, you'd know that's exactly where he wants to be, with his wife and his dog. He's perfectly happy with that."
The resident married guy on the team after Brandon Weeden graduated last year, Lane might receive more teasing if Kasey wasn't so well-liked. The close-knit offensive line views her as the mom of the group because she cooks for them and keeps them on their toes.
And when Lane gets home from football practice, Kasey has dinner ready at their off-campus duplex. While being married could have complicated things, it has instead made their lives easier.
"I think it's helped both of us," Kasey said. "We're really comfortable with each other, so I feel like he plays better not having any off-the-field issues."
Kasey, 24, and Lane, 23, will graduate this week, and after Lane finishes his college career Jan. 1 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against Purdue, the next adventure awaits.
Lane hopes to play in the NFL, so the couple doesn't know where they will end up. But regardless of what happens, they are prepared to embrace it together.
"Everything is really stable in my life," Lane said. "I have a great wife and she keeps me focused and keeps me happy."
HEART OF DALLAS BOWL: OSU VS. PURDUE
11 a.m. Jan. 1
Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas
TV: ESPNU-253
Radio: KFAQ am1170
Original Print Headline: Easy decision
Kelly Hines 918-581-8452
kelly.hines@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
OSU offensive lineman Lane Taylor and Kasey Noel got married on May 11 in Arlington, Texas. Courtesy photo
Lane and Kasey met in a government class at OSU in the summer of 2009. Courtesy photo
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