We were both in Decatur, Illinois for one year (Amanda for PA clinical rotations and Nick for an engineering rotation with Caterpillar), and were trying to make the most of central Illinois, deciding to go to the local block party - "Decatur Celebration" in early August. The story is different depending on who tells it - Amanda says Nick was looking back at her in the crowd, and Nick says she was staring at him. They made their way over to each other and listened to 90's boy band All-4-One perform. They exchanged phone numbers and Amanda was looking forward to a text back but realized Nick had forgotten the last digit of his phone number! Luckily this was a 2-day block party and Amanda & her PA school friends were planning on going the second night. While walking around, they both saw each other and Nick exclaimed that Amanda never texted him and she told him he didn't give her his whole phone number! Since then, we have successfully gotten each other's full phone numbers, been together through a long-distance relationship, a cross-country move during COVID, new jobs, and getting settled in beautiful San Diego!

Nick had a surprise weekend planned for the engagement and just told Amanda to pack a bag the night before. As we continued driving south in San Diego, Amanda wondered how much further south we were going - Nick jokingly asked if she brought her passport to Mexico! No international travel that day - but instead we made our way across Coronado Bridge to Hotel Del Coronado, a historic hotel here on beautiful grounds. We enjoyed a relaxing day of sunshine; knowing dinner plans were on the horizon. Before dinner while enjoying a walk on the beach, Nick got down on one knee and proposed! We celebrated with champagne, called our families, and enjoyed a great post-engaged dinner and brunch the next day. Shortly after, our parents were able to meet for the first time in Indiana for some official engagement celebrations. We were so excited to be back in Coronado and around Hotel Del Coronado for our engagement pictures, the hotel will always be such a special place to us! We're so excited to pop some champagne and celebrate this next chapter in our lives with you. See you in San Diego!