with our first date at Pine Junction on October 7th. Right from the beginning, I was drawn to Amy. As we were waiting for our table, we sat on the bench and started talking and getting to know each other; I remember being so comfortable being around Amy. We had a wonderful dinner together as we continued to get to know each other. As the date was concluding I walked Amy to her car, and I knew I wanted to see her again. We talked a little more, we had our first kiss, and thankfully she agreed to go on a second date with me. This night will always hold a special place in my heart, as it was the night I met my best friend. Our second date was a few weeks later at Harbor House. It went even better than the first. Our dinner was wonderful, but it was after when I knew, I absolutely knew, Amy was someone special. It was cold out that night, and we ended up talking in the parking lot for a long time; I can see her spinning around, looking up into the sky, and smiling. We kept talking, kissed again, talked some more, and I knew I wanted Amy in my life. I knew she was interested in me, but not quite as much as I liked her. That being said, she did agree to go on a third date with me. Our third date was at my house. Amy came over to watch a movie, and I fell for her even more. We watched Aladdin together, and I began to learn Amy’s true love for all things Disney. We had a wonderful time. This was the first of three times I asked Amy to be my girlfriend; she didn’t say no but she didn’t say yes. Thankfully, this was not the end of our story, and even though I was disappointed, I knew I wanted to see Amy again. Our fourth date moved back to PA where we met for wine and ice cream. Every time we were together, we were both happy and becoming more and more comfortable around each other. We ended up watching a trailer for a horror movie and Amy learned then that horror movies are not my favorite. We kept talking and when I walked Amy to her car, I didn’t want to say goodbye. I knew she liked me too, I just wasn’t sure how much quite yet. I invited Amy to come over to watch that horror movie for our next date, even though I hate horror movies. She agreed. I was so happy knowing Amy wanted to keep seeing me. As we kept talking, I was excited for our next date night. Prior to that date, Amy’s nephew Jamieson had a seizure. Amy was very concerned, and we talked a lot about Jamieson, how he was doing, and how much Amy loved him. I checked in often on how Amy and Jamieson were both doing, and it felt like I had known both of them for years even though I had never met Jamieson and had gone on a handful of dates with Amy. Jamieson got good news and was feeling better. I felt very close with Amy, and I could not wait for her to come over. For our date, we watched Hush. Although horror movies are not my favorite, spending time with Amy was my favorite. We had an amazing night together, and I again asked Amy to be my girlfriend. She again didn’t say yes, but didn’t say no. I was disappointed, but our story didn’t end there. Throughout the busy holiday season, we were able to see a lot of each other. We watched Christmas movies, baked Christmas cookies, decorated our houses, and learned about each other, our families, and our friends. As we talked more and more, it was evident that we both liked each other very much. I went over to Amy’s for another date night in December, and asked her to be my girlfriend again. The third time was a charm, and she said yes. Even though it took three times for her to say yes, I would have asked her a hundred times if that is what it took. Amy had my heart from the very first date. We had a wonderful Christmas season, and Amy invited me over to her annual NYE party. This was a crazy night where I met a lot of her family for the very first time. They welcomed me with open arms that night, and have been so loving, supportive, and kind towards me ever since. I am now so blessed to spend every holiday with Amy.

Amy and I fell more and more for each other. We loved our times together, growing closer to one another, and were just overly happy with our relationship and each other. I went to the PGA Show in Orlando at the end of January. The day I flew back, I went to Amy’s holiday party at Arundel Cellars. That night, January 28, 2023, Amy told me that she loved me. It was the best feeling and the best night. It is a night I will never forget. I told her I loved her as well. I knew I loved her for some time, and I was trying to wait until Valentine’s Day to tell her; I am glad Amy didn’t wait. Even though we only met in October, it was always the best kind of different with Amy. As our relationship grew, so did our love for each other. We had many wonderful date nights as our relationship grew – my birthday dinner at Amy’s house, Valentine’s Day at the Landmark Restaurant, walks on the beach at her house in North East, going to the movies, date nights at home, ice cream adventures, Sabres and Seawolves games (I won’t subject Amy to being a Bills fan….it is just too torturous), and so many more. We also had many wonderful holidays together as the seasons changed from Winter to Spring and Summer. Amy’s birthday was approaching in July, and I knew I wanted marry her. One weekend Amy went out to visit Kelly and Andrea in Ohio, and I went over to Amy’s parents to get permission to ask Amy to marry me. I was extremely nervous, but thankfully they said yes and were overly kind, as they always are to me. I had to weigh two options – was I going to ask Amy to marry me on her birthday on July 24th or in Disney when we went in December? I know Amy would have preferred Disney, as it is her absolute favorite place on earth, but I knew I couldn’t wait that long. I picked out a ring with the help of Amy’s sister and couldn’t wait to propose. Amy decided to have her birthday dinner with her family at Bay House Bar and Restaurant. Kelly came into town for Amy’s birthday as well. With Amy’s friend and family present, on July 24, 2023, I proposed to Amy. She said yes, and forever with my best friend was a dream turned into reality. I knew Amy was my forever date, my happily ever after, and my one and only. From the very beginning, Amy has amazed me with how kind, smart, caring, loving, empathetic, funny, and hardworking she is. To this day, I continue to fall more in more in love with Amy. She is an amazing fiancé, teacher, best friend, aunt, daughter, cousin, and I know she will be the most amazing wife. Every day, I am grateful, thankful, and blessed to have Amy by my side. She is my better half, and forever with Amy is the greatest gift I will ever receive.