Months and months of planning and it’s FINALLY happening!!

We met by pure coincedence! Out for a night of fun with friends (separately) we wound up at a small wine bar that happened to have some live music on their patio. There were a couple other bars and restaurants close by so Amanda and bestie Lauren decided to pop into one for a girls night celebratory shot. Meanwhile, Anthony recognized the table of girl friends as familiar faces from high school. (Fun Fact! Anthony and Amanda went to the same high school and graduated 2 years apart but never crossed paths!) Anthony was waiting on his friend, grooman Mike Tawil, to meet up with him and chose to hang out at the table while he waited. By the time Amanda and Lauren returned from the nearby bar Anthony had made himself comfortable chatting up the ladies. When Amanda approached the table there was immediate chemistry and, lucky for us, Mike never ended up coming to the bar that night (Thanks Mike!) and we hit it off. We talked and laughed and then Anthony drove Amanda and friends home. Then the infamous goodnight kiss sealed the deal. Anthony is very much a romantic and won Amanda’s heart over the next several days by driving to her each night for a simple goodnight kiss. We have been inseperable since!

One week earlier, while Amanda was in Florida for her sister Jamie’s high school graduation, Anthony excitedly picked up the ring that he & his jewler created together. Anthony brought champagne and had a celebration while showing off ‘his’ ring. They made a plan. Amanda received a phone from both her mom and, maid of honor, Lauren requesting a girls day at a small vineyard called Treehouse Vineyards. This was also Amanda and Anthony’s first official date. The morning of Anthony woke up early and kissed Amanda goodbye claiming he had to work. Amanda had planned to get picked up by Lauren, mom and Allison, bridesmaid, to head out for their wine tasting girls day. Upon arrival it started raining which seemed to make everyone upset but Amanda (not understanding) “We will just do the tasting inside. Whats the big deal?!” Luckily the rain stopped by the time the tasting was over and Mom insisted on sneaking into one of the treehouses for a peak. Amanda relunctantly followed. “Mom, did you know this was mine and Anthony’s first date?” “Is it?” “Yup! How cute would it be if he proposed up in this thing?” “That would be cute.” As the top of the treehouse neared there were rose petals on the steps. “Oh wow mom! They really keep this place ready for couples!” We reach the top to the treehouse. Mom took a step back and let Amanda go inside first. When she turned the corner, there Anthony was grinning in the doorway! “What are you doing here?!” Mom runs down the stairs leaving us by ourselves and Anthony saying nothing gets down on one knee. “OMG IS THIS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?!!” He pulls a box out of his pocket and asks “Baby, will you marry me?” Tears fill both of our eyes. “Yes!!!” At that moment Amanda looked around the room and saw the roses came from him. He made a playlist and we held eachother kissing and laughing before making our way outside where our friends were waiting. Amanda yells down I said yes! And everyone in the whole place cheered. It was perfect.