We're so excited to celebrate with you!

I had just started a new job and unbeknownst to me at the time, I worked with Mike’s cousin, Candace. After being there just a couple of months, two of my coworkers who I had been shadowing cornered me in my office and were like “hey, Candace wanted us to see if you’re interested in going out with her cousin, she thinks you guys would be a great match.” I totally blew it off and was not interested. There was no way anyone was going to set me up on a blind date after having not such great dating experience in the past. I made up what I thought was a great excuse, something along the lines of I’m not interested in a relationship right now. HAH. About a month later I was walking down the hall in our office and Candace popped out of nowhere cornering me to tell me she thought me and Mike would be such a great match and that we really should go out. At this point, I was caught so off guard I didn’t know what to say or what kind of excuse to come up with so I reluctantly added him on Facebook thinking to myself well I’ll just never talk to him. It took no time for Mike to send me a message and over the next couple of months, I continually ignored him and his attempts to take me out. It was finally Fourth of July and after much persistence on Mike’s part, I (at the time) reluctantly agreed to meet him at his marina and go out to dinner on his boat, what would be our first date, on July 6, 2017. We instantly hit it off with an undeniable connection and before I knew it I was spending every day with him.

Fast forward two years, we had purchased a home together in summer of 2018 and everything started to break - needless to say we started extensive renovations. Our family planned a trip over Fourth of July 2019, to Turks and Caicos with my family for my aunt and uncle’s 40th wedding anniversary. Both mine and Mike's families had endured a number of losses in 2018 and it was just a really sad year. When we were initially asked if we would like to go, my entire family said yes with no questions asked about costs, etc. (little did I know Mike was scheming a proposal with them)! We arrived in Turks and Caicos on Friday, July 5th and my-oh-my was it beautiful! On Saturday, July 6th, (the anniversary of our first date) we enjoyed a beachside breakfast with Kris and Jordan, relaxing in the sun and spending time with family. Later in the afternoon, it was suggested we should try to catch the sunset and get a family picture at the beach before dinner (no big deal, right?). We all went to the beach to watch and had someone take our family picture. I’m not sure how or what transpired in the next 30 seconds but before I knew it I was standing in the water, alone. Looking around wondering where everyone dispersed to, I then see Mike, walking over towards me. The first words out of my mouth as he began to kneel, “Oh my God! What are you doing?!” Mike pulled a little bag with the most beautiful ring out of his pocket and asks me, “are you ready to break the internet?” (a joke between us as we have had the utmost support of our relationship since day 1), he asked "will you?" and I told him of course! My family had gathered a small crowd on the deck behind us, everyone was cheering and I was in complete shock! I had not had the slightest suspicion or wonder if a proposal was coming and Mike did not create any bit of wonder. We headed up to the rooftop terrace in our room and celebrated with a champagne toast, photos and dinner!