It is the classic story of waitress meets dishwasher. Our eyes met across the stacks of dirty dishes and we instantly connected. Andrew's smile was so uplifting and kind, it was hard not to love it. Sydney's great taste in music, positivity, and stunning crystal blue eyes were hard not to notice. We began dating in Andrew's senior year of high school and stayed together throughout our time in college, barely going 2-3 weeks without seeing each other. There were many weekend drives to and from Orono, ME and Somersworth, NH. Eventually we graduated, moved in together, and brought two cats into the mix. Now we are ready to write the next chapter of our lives as newlyweds.

We'd had lots of late-night talks on life, love, our future together. Early on we knew this was something we could make last a lifetime, earlier than we'd like to admit. Sydney is a one of a kind girl and Andrew wanted to get her something unique. He collaborated with the jeweler to design a custom lavender sapphire ring and set his sights on the family trip to Portugal. It was the perfect opportunity.... until the pandemic started to unfold. Instead, on an unassuming drizzly day in March, we bundled up, packed a thermos of hot chocolate and a blanket, and headed off to make something of the day. COVID be damned, we would have some semblance of a vacation! We sat at the bench where we had our first date six years earlier and snuggled in the rain, watching the waterfall in front of us. The park was quiet and serene, perfectly still as Andrew proposed. There was never any other answer but forever, yes.