As told by Alyssa: Jeff & I met on July 6, 2015. I know this because it was my very first day as a real adult with an actual big girl job. There I was, nervous and unsure of what my first day on the job was going to be like, and there was Jeff. It took about a week before we both knew, unbeknownst to each other, that there was something very special between us. Fast forward 3 more weeks, and we were in a full blown secret office romance. Our relationship remained top secret for the next 7 months, as we were afraid of the office gossip (silly). Eventually, we said screw it and posted a picture of us on Jeff's instagram with a cute little caption and the rest is quite honestly, history. Here we are 5 years later, built on a mountain of love and support. 2 crazy doggos, 1 curious cat, countless DC sports games, & many many many adventures later....& we are ready for our biggest one yet! We cannot wait to share this day with our loved ones & to celebrate with #chamPAYNEshowers. *get in loser, we're going to get married*

As told by Jeff: The ring was secured for nearly a month, and then the Washington Nationals won the World Series. 'What if I did it at the Parade?' I thought to myself, and the plan was in motion, checking off things that needed to be done before the ask. It was a chilly Saturday morning, I pulled on Papa's Puffy Red Orvis Vest, and slid the ring into an interior pocket, nervous as could be. The plan was to ask in front of the Washington Monument, but plans changed quickly when Alyssa became eager to get the best spot for the Parade. At that point, we were winging it, but ended up in a great spot with the United States Capitol as our back drop. Picture time came, as was suspected, and in front of thousands of strangers I asked a question, hands shaking beyond control. She said Yes, but that was just the beginning. A Washington Post Columnist walking by stopped us for an interview that would end up in the Sunday Post, a tweeted video was picked up by local news outlets, and our story was retold on Fox 5 Morning Show the following Monday. It was a whirlwind few days, still on Cloud Nine from a Washington Nationals World Series win, but beyond ecstatic that the girl of my dreams said Yes and got our 15 minutes of fame.