Growing up, I always pictured meeting my future husband the "traditional" way. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong about that and I'm so thankful I was. Between a crazy work schedule, not being the partying type and avoiding the bars most weekends, and having unwavering high standards, I resorted to good ole dating apps in the hopes of finding my person. I'll be the first to tell you that high standards and dating apps typically don't mix very well, but then there was Justin. My needle in a haystack. I somewhat knew who he was because of a mutual friend and could tell immediately he was a genuinely good guy. My heart was telling me he was something special and I had to take a chance on him. Naturally, I swiped right! Who would have thought that millisecond of an action would lead me to where I am now? We first started talking (as the kids say these days) the night of Christmas Eve 2018 and little did I know he would be my most favorite Christmas gift of all time. His intentions were pure and our connection was unmatched from the very beginning. It felt as though we had known each other for years. The first time we met in person was spontaneously on New Years Eve and let's just say there were fireworks (literally and figuratively)! We've been inseparable ever since. Justin is my best friend, the calm to my storm, and my better half. I cannot wait to meet him at the alter and start our lives together as husband and wife. I know it will be one for the history books! - Gabby

The mission? Simple. The plan? That was the hard part. Gabby and I had been talking about me popping the question for awhile. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't pressuring me or anything but there were some...conditions. 1. When I popped the question, we had to be by ourselves. 2. After I popped the question, she wanted our friends and family to join us in celebrating. What could I do that allows us to be alone, but also allow for our friends and family to join us? A brewery of course! We have gone to Lone Oak Brewery in Olney, MD several times before. At the brewery they have, what I call, "fancy teepees" for rent for private parties. The doors of the teepee can be drawn that allows for privacy. However, the brewery also has a nice open field dotted with tables and chairs - perfect for our friends and family to join afterwards. The date was set. June 26, 2021, two days before Gabby's birthday so she thought we were going to celebrate her 27th. I had the ring tucked away in its ring box minutes before we left the house. Until I looked in the mirror and noticed the box protruding out of my pocket. I had to call an audible. I had a small, velvet drawstring pouch I could use to put the ring and tuck in my shirt pocket. No suspicion whatsoever. I tried to play it cool all the way to the brewery. We arrived, entered our fancy teepee and began to sip on our drinks. I found out later that Gabby was checking my pockets for a ring box but didn't see one. She told herself the proposal wasn't happening today. Just as she had thought that, I got down on a knee and said, "I love you, we love each other, and I think it's time to manifest our love into forever." There was no hesitation to her saying yes. Soon after, all of our loved ones surprised Gabby and joined us in celebrating. It was the perfect end to a perfect day. Getting engaged was definitely the highlight of the year, despite getting a new truck! Kidding! I can't wait to tie the knot with Gabby! - Justin