I had met my friend Bianca in one of my classes junior year at Keene State. She was dating someone on the hockey team and was telling me about one of his teammates who was single. A few nights later, Bianca and I had decided we were going to attend the Keene State vs. UMass Amherst hockey game. Bianca had pointed Carlin out at the game and I had brushed it off. After the game we had decided we would pick her then boyfriend and his friend up to go and get some pizza and snacks before their away game in New York the next day. I had no idea who his "friend" was until Carlin came walking out of his dorm and towards Bianca's car. I was so nervous and so uncomfortable I sat in silence and never got my pizza that night (even though Carlin did offer to buy my pizza for me). After, we were all laughing and cracking jokes in the car. That night I decided to "shoot my shot" and messaged Carlin first on Instagram. Ever since he's been my best friend and I am so thankful for Bianca introducing us back in 2016, no matter how awkward it was!

Carlin had planned the entire proposal and had told several of my friends and family members. Everyone somehow managed to keep it a secret from me (even my friends that can't keep a secret). Carlin knew what ring's I had been looking at and what I was liking. He did a custom ring and made it so sweet and simple. As for the engagement, he had planned on us making a trip up to Keene to see Bobby (his former coach and friend). As we got into Keene, Bobby had to "cancel on dinner" because he was "busy" at the rink. So Carlin and I had dinner together and as it was time to order desert, for the first time ever I didn't want desert. I wanted to take it to go and eat it later back in our hotel room. Carlin pushed to have desert at the restaurant and I agreed. When the waitress had brought out our desert, I looked at her and said "I think you have the wrong table, this isn't for me". She laughed and walked away. It took me a second to realize that during that time Carlin was down on one knee proposing! It was so simple and such a sweet moment we got to have with one another! At the end of the dinner I was told Bobby was never going to come, it was just a way to get me to Keene without asking questions!