Katie and Ben first met in 2018 when their mutual friend and Groomsman, Alex, invited Ben to an impromptu New Year's Eve party at Katie's house. Since both of them were in other relationships at the time, neither one of them thought anything of it. They became friends who would see each other from time to time at various events with mutual friends. Fast forward to August 2021 - the evening of Katie's best friend's (Chris - Matron of Honor and Alex's sister) bachelorette party. Chris wanted a backyard party with the girls at her mom's house with lots of laughs, great food, adult beverages, and even an inflatable slip-n-slide. Early on into the party that afternoon, Alex, who lives next door, was requested to bring additional supplies. Once he got there, it was clear that he was staying. He asked Chris if he could invite Ben, to which Chris agreed. Katie and Ben have been inseparable ever since.

Anyone who really knows Katie knows that the holiday season is one of her favorite times of the year. Christmas is, without a doubt, her favorite holiday. Ben knew he wanted to do something unique when he proposed to Katie. Rather than popping the question to her on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, he wanted to do something out of the box. During a 10-day trip to North Carolina following the Thanksgiving holiday to visit family in November of 2023, Ben and Katie took a mini 2-night vacation to Gatlinburg, TN. Ben knew that the Gatlinburg Sky Bridge, all decorated for Christmas, would be the perfect spot. At sunset, surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, at the highest point in the middle of the Sky Bridge, overlooking the city of Gatlinburg lit up in Christmas lights, Ben got down on one knee and asked Katie to marry him. And well, it's quite obvious what her answer was.

We can't wait to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with all those we love.