Welcome

Annie and I met by complete chance early in 2020. My best friend, Brandon Mincey, was progressing through his home buying purchase in early March and asked if I could come along as moral support to his home inspection on a Friday we had off together. Being the supportive friend that I am, I said yes. When Mincey and I arrived at his future home he introduced to me his real estate agent, Elizabeth Robb, who was referred to him by his dad and step mom. Over the course of the next few hours, Mincey and I chatted with Elizabeth about anything and everything in what was actually a great time. As the home inspection began wrapping up, Mincey got good news on his home, but I got even better news in that Elizabeth wanted to introduce me to a friend of hers who was recently interested in dating again. After being shown photos of her friend, saying she was cute and I would be interested in meeting her, Elizabeth said she would see if her friend was interested in meeting me as well when she saw her the following week. Well, a few days later I received a Facebook message notification from Elizabeth saying her friend was interested and the ball was in my court. What I didn’t notice right away was that it was a group message and her friend was also in the chat. That was the moment I was introduced to the one and only Annemarie Elizabeth Ruch. Elizabeth must have sold me well because while I was trying to play it cool and wait a little bit before reaching out directly to Annie, she messaged me making an introduction. Now, I am only telling you this because Annie insists people know she made the first move. I am not complaining though because here we are just a few years later preparing to be husband and wife! Our first date was March 13th 2020 at Blackwall Hitch in downtown Annapolis and it truly was a foreshadowing of what our relationship was to be. We enjoyed getting to know each other over drinks at happy hour which was followed by a walk downtown on a nice spring evening. Knowing how much we enjoyed our date together we continued to talk and had a picnic style second date at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. As we enjoyed prosecco, chips and dip, and fun ice breaker games, Annie and I knew we had something special brewing because of the ease we had in talking to each other and the fun we were having together. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Annie and I continued to get to know each other the best we could over the course of the next few months until we felt comfortable enough getting back together in person in May. After a few hiking dates to Patapsco State Park and Harpers Ferry, I took a big step in inviting her to a vacation I had planned for myself in Oak Island, NC in June. While she wanted to say yes right away, she did the right thing by having me meet her dad, Charlie, and her sister, Katie, along with her friends Kathleen and Lynch one day at Charlie’s house. After a very nice day out on Charlie's boat and having the time to get to know her family and friends, I got the stamp of approval from the whole group. A few weeks later we were off to the beach in what was our first big trip together that was going to be a true test of what we had. Not surprisingly, we had an amazing time enjoying the sun and sand while really taking advantage of some much needed time away from reality. As a result of that vacation and loving relationship we were beginning, we became official on June 27th 2020 in what would become our great adventure

Over the course of the next year and a half, Annie and I went through major milestones with ease, creating new memories, and we knew that we were meant to be. I proposed to Annie on December 4th 2021 at the Paca House Gardens in Annapolis. With the help of Katie, we had the place all to ourselves in what was truly a special moment. We followed our engagement up with a surprise luncheon at a Ruch family favorite, Harry Browne’s on State Circle, with our families. Having our family there to celebrate our love was what we both wanted because although our relationship may have developed at a quicker pace than what society typically see’s, our families trusted and provided unwavering support from the beginning. They brought each of us into their family as if we were their own and for that we cannot thank them enough for their love in making it easy for us both. Whether it be the enjoyable times with vacations to Disney or Paris, the serious times with adult conversations about buying a house (shoutout to Elizabeth for being the best realtor out there) , or simply being there for each other after hard days at work, Annie and I have always supported and cared for each other to make the most of whatever situation we are in and to make each other better. If you know Annie like I do, you know she is arguably the most caring, supportive, and heartfelt person you will ever meet. She has been nothing short of amazing to me and I can’t wait to tie the knot with her on June 17th because I never want to let her go. Our love story is another great example of something happening for a reason. We are so excited to have you be a part of this love story and celebrate it with us because you have played a part in making us husband and wife!