We met the traditional way: by swiping right on Tinder (romantic!) in September of 2015. We weren't sure what to expect of each other, seeing as we had yet to meet in person, but, night after night, we stayed up until the wee morning hours talking about nothing and everything.

Katie: Some of my favorites are our first vacation as a couple with Dan's family in September of 2016 and our trip to Quebec City in October of 2018. Dan's family has always welcomed me with open arms, but that first vacation was truly indicative of what was to come; I had some dietary issues to sort out at that point and they bent over backward to make me feel at home. It was a true family experience, complete with card games and adventures and arguing, and all of it was wonderful. I got a taste of the amazing, supportive, loving dynamic that is his family. In Canada, Dan and I learned an incredible amount about each other - we spent our time eating and exploring historic places and walking (there was so much walking), but navigating an unfamiliar place is sometimes hard, especially as a couple. Despite that fact, we didn't have issues...at all. We travel well together; so much so, that it's one reason I know that Dan and I will stand the test of time. Dan: One of our first dates was Karaoke Night at O'Connor's Public House in New Milford, CT. Hearing Katie sing absolutely blew me away, the power and elegance in her voice surprised me and made me keep coming back for more. The song was "I'm the Only One" by Melissa Etheridge and it still gives me happy shivers when I hear it today. Our annual pilgrimage to visit the Cherry Blossoms in DC is a yearly reminder of the beauty and delicate nature of a blossoming and love-filled relationship. After our first trip down there, Katie told me she loved me and it's filled my heart ever since.

Katie: I was expecting Dan to propose when we went on vacation to the Dominican Republic in January of 2020 but surprised the HECK out of me and did it the night before we left! Dan: After much deliberation and scheming with my family to decide on the family ring Katie wears today, the proposal was the next anxiety-filled decision to be made. My sisters were instrumental in helping me decide to propose before our trip and to pop the Q at a location special to us. Our place was Sprouts, a tiny Vietnamese Pho restaurant in Bethel, CT. Duong, the wonderful owner of Sprouts, was surprised and delighted that I would want to propose to Katie in her restaurant. She was a fantastic coconspirator, helping prepare the music over the speakers and offering her wonderful employees as helping hands to surprise Katie while she (regrettably and hilariously, in hindsight) wore her favorite hoodie. After completely flubbing my prepared speech, to the point where I wasn't sure if she knew what I was asking, Katie said yes!