At last...

I always love telling this story because we "met" before we actually met. I was a sophomore in college when we met, staying in College Lodge (oh the memories!) at the College of Charleston. It just so happened that Anthony's best friend Jason (and now best man in our wedding) also lived in Lodge. One night, the fire alarm went off super late. Of course I was already comfy and ready for bed, hair wrapped up and all, not thinking I'm about to meet my future husband tonight. And then I saw him...sitting on a bench outside the dorm smoking a cigarette. My first reaction (along with my roommate Julie, who is a bridesmaid) was DAAYUUMMM! We need to meet him! And then I remembered my current situation (PJs, head wrap, funky bed breath) and decided it best if I stare from a distance....so I did :). Probably less than a week later me and my friend Shannon (who is also a bridesmaid) were walking back from the store, and Anthony was in Jason's room with the door open. As we walked by, he said something that I didn't hear but Shannon did. She quickly nudged me and said "Brittany he's talking to you!". Of course I realized this was the same FINE stranger I saw the other night...but I had to play it cool. So we spoke and exchanged information and Julie and Shannon suggested I invite him out with us that night. So I did. It sounds cheesy but I knew he was something special when he pulled me away from the crowd in the party to talk to me. And then he complimented my naIls and pedicure and I knew it was meant to be (anyone who knows me knows why haha). We were inseparable after that <3.

A good 8+ years after starting our journey together, which included lots of travel, multiple jobs, and 2 degrees, we finally decided we should start thinking about the next steps. Of course over 8 years we talked a lot about marriage, but my being in school and our relocating and traveling so often because of it delayed our plans. He finally proposed on Christmas Day of 2017 with my family present. It was post-gift opening and we were all sitting in the living room talking and relaxing in our PJs...everyone except Anthony. He was pacing, which is atypical for him. I didn't think anything of it until he started sweating...that's when I knew something was up. Eventually he grabbed my hand, pulled me off the couch and said "I have one more gift for you". He got down on one knee and popped the question. And of course I said "Yes!" I was a little bummed because, yet again, he caught me off guard while in PJs and a head wrap (see How We Met story). So pictures and videos for posting were pretty much out of the question. But the fact that he made it happen with my family there made it one of the most memorable days of my life -- so I guess we can do without pictures :)