LET'S DO THIS!

Our mutual friend, Tim Meier The Matchmaker, decided to take matters into his own hands after "nudging" each of us separately for a few weeks. Late on a Monday night last fall, he sent The Awkward Group Text that set everything into motion. "Sarah, re-meet Paul, Paul, re-meet Sarah. You are both awesome humans and should know each other (better)." Well, we took it from there and thus began a flurry of messages back and forth, Paul from Colorado and Sarah from NYC. There was an immediate connection, ease and a lot of humor. After a fun few days, we went straight for a FaceTime call, Sarah walking in Central Park and Paul from a trail in Colorado. We smiled and laughed the entire time and when we hung up, Sarah’s first thought was, “Did we just become best friends?” And Paul thought, “Wow! That was fun!” We were soon talking every day, racking up the late night minutes, navigating timezone differences. Within two weeks we were figuring out how and when to see each other face to face.

Sarah was on her way to California to see her family and arranged for an 8 hour layover in Denver. Paul (who got a speeding ticket on the way to the airport, though still arrived an hour early...) greeted Sarah with a giant hug while she smashed his toes with her boots. oops. First stop coffee, while sitting knee to knee nervously grinning at each other. Next up lunch, in which we shared a gorgonzola salad, though Sarah later learned Paul does not like gorgonzola. But he does like sharing. Then, a drive to Colorado Springs with a lively singalong to late 90's pop songs. And off to a hike around one of our favorite spots, Garden of the Gods, in which Sarah conveniently borrowed Paul's sweatshirt and also conveniently sprayed some of her perfume on (I knowwwww). Paul did not wash it for weeks. Lastly, a Thai Takeout dinner and lightning speed drive back to the airport, Paul with only one hand on the wheel so he could squeeze Sarah's hand with the other as we screeched (literally) around the turns. Another huge hug and ear to ear smiles as we said goodbye knowing we'd only just begun. And THAT was the first of many a Magical Monday. Whether virtual or in person, we've made Monday nights our fun date nights and have hardly missed one!

It's only fitting that for two people who have lived and traveled all over the world, our long distance dating involved a lot of adventurous excursions :). Paul came to visit Sarah in NYC over New Year's and we rode bikes across the Brooklyn Bridge, shared pizza and wine in DUMBO, ice-skated in Central Park, and strolled in the rain through Times Square (see: "Things To Do" page!). We skied and snowshoed together in Colorado and Utah... Ate tacos in California with Sarah's family, and BBQ and fried chicken in Georgia and Florida with Paul's... Took a work trip to Nashville and a cross-country road trip to Ohio... And played on the stunning beaches of St. Thomas for Sarah's 40th birthday with friends. We have certainly not lacked in making fun memories (see: "Photos" page!) but more significantly, all along the way, wherever we happened to be... HE and SHE were becoming a WE...

He’s a Seven, She’s a One (He makes Her life a lot more fun). He’s FAST! She’s s l o w w w w. He cooks! She cleans up *immediately* after him as they go. He was a missionary island boy in the Philippines, She’s a SoCal valley girl living in NYC. He draws "doodles," She writes poetry (His art was Her long lost missing piece). He plans far in advance, She flies by the seat of her pants. He’s a little more whiskey, She’s a little more wine. Both love music, But He CANNOT sing or dance to save his life. He is "steady, secure, safe and strong" (Four things She prayed “He” would be all along). He holds her when She cries, She laughs at His dumb jokes and rolls her eyes. He calls her "Beautiful," She calls him "Boo." They’re now placing bets: Which one will sob saying I DO? (#TeamPaul)

Through some sleuthing, Paul found the secret garden in Central Park where Sarah was walking during our first FaceTime call and planned a picnic lunch. After reminiscing about our story to this point and dreaming of our future (while Sarah tried to pretend she didn't know what was about to happen), Paul read a journal entry full of memories and hopes and commitments for our life together. Then on one knee, he asked “Will you marry me?” The first words out of Sarah's mouth after YES was a resounding “LET'S DO THIS!” By far, the “easiest yes” she’s ever said. Later that evening, Paul had arranged dinner at one of our favorite restaurants with surprise special guests. Both sets of our parents flew in from Georgia and California and spent the whole day together (they are now BFF's) before celebrating with us and starting to plan our big day! We could not be more grateful and so so excited for all that is to come. And we absolutely cannot wait for YOU to join the fun here in NYC as the two of us become a WE!!!