We’re getting married!

It was my senior year in college, and some friends & I decided to go downtown. Our first stop was to Saloon for $1 beer night, where I proceeded to order a Stoli Orange & water with slices of orange (HA!). The bartender was definitely not the biggest fan of me that evening. The following week the ladies and I went out again for $1 beer night. The same bartender was there & I went up to him and said "remember me" in my loud "Laurinburg" accent. He had this clueless look on his face, up until I placed my drink order. He then proceeded to talk to me a little longer this time and then asked if we could hang out later. I ended up meeting the bartender, Ben later that evening and we talked for hours and hours. I kind of knew at that moment he would become my forever person!

I grew up a military brat, traveling the world, and he was just a small-town guy who had never left the south. That was until 3 years ago when I booked his first flight to my favorite place that I grew up. 15+ hours later we landed in Honolulu & he's been planning our permanent move there ever since. We went back to Oahu the following year, as this will always be our go-to trip. I could definitely tell Ben was acting a little out of character this go around. Night 3 of our trip we had reservations to eat at Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurant (we are HUGE foodies) so I was DYING to go, yet he was still acting off. We had an amazing sunset dinner, oceanfront on Waikiki Beach, and then decided to walk the beach once we finished our meal. After we walked and talked for a few, Ben stopped & turned to me and then got down on one knee and I was instantly in tears! He asked me to marry him & there was no doubt he was the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. The trip suddenly was less awkward, as I think he may have been slightly stressed carrying the ring around. Almost 6 years later, and we have grown to know each other in a way that is unexplainable & undeniably one of a kind.