It's about that time!

Who would have known the fall semester of 2011 at Hampton University was going to be a year of transformation for Chase and Angie. Angie sure did because this was her FIRST year in college, but she did not predict meeting someone who would ultimately affect her life for years to come. The first day of architectural school finally started and all of the first year students took their seats in the first level studio, all eager and/or nervous to get the early class rolling. Chase, late to class, was headed to the top floor for his first class as a second year student. He decided to take the elevator, which happened to be RIGHT next to the first year studio, when he saw her. Right then and there, Chase knew he wanted and needed Angie in his life (well so he says), and from that point the pursuit began. Chase asked around for a week to figure out who was close to Angie so he could ultimately get in a conversation with her. Finally, one of his classmates was assigned to be one of Angie’s friends’ big brother. His classmate told Chase he’d be heading downstairs to the first year studio to check in on his little sister. This was Chase’s chance! Once they arrived to the studio, Chase’s classmate introduced him to Angie and her friend. From there, Chase started “flirting” with Angie the only way he knew how - cracking horrible jokes on Angie and her architectural work. Chase left that conversation literally feeling so confident he nailed it while Angie specifically told her friend to make sure she never sees Chase again. Angie thought Chase was annoying and just not worth her time (HARSH). After a few weeks of avoiding and eye rolls from Angie and constant persistence from Chase, they both agreed they’d start off as friends and get to know each other. About a year later, Chase asked Angie to be his girlfriend on October 10, 2012 (her birthday), and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

Fast forward to EIGHT YEARS LATER - yes, we said eight years. Pre- COVID-19, Chase and Angie planned to travel to Europe for Angie’s 27th birthday. The goal was to spend half the trip in London and end the trip in Paris - little did Angie know, Chase was ultimately planning to propose at the Eiffel Tour. Unfortunately, the coronavirus had other plans so they both had to go with plan C - head to Buffalo! Chase planned the whole trip from start to finish, but no one could predict the weather. The plan was to propose to Angie at Niagara Falls on her birthday, but it was going to rain on that day and he knows how much she does not like being out in the rain. Because of the rain, he decided to take her to the botanical gardens. He looked up a specific room prior to them arriving where he planned to propose, BUT when they arrived at the botanical gardens, they found out a wedding was happening which closed off some of the areas including the room Chase wanted. They ended up walking around the garden, and Angie noticed Chase fidgeting A LOT. She asked what his deal was but he came up with some excuse. After walking through the gardens, they decided to go outside and take pictures before it started raining. Angie asked Chase to take a picture of her, but he was still fidgeting in his bag. She started to get annoyed and decided to sit on a bench until he got it together. Chase then gets in front of her as she’s looking down at her phone and says “I am not really sure how to do this.” Still focused on the picture, Angie sarcastically replies “Just click the button”. She looks up and sees a box in his hand. Chase then kneels down on one knee and asks her to marry him. Of course she said yes!