LET'S GET MARRIED!

Like many modern day couples, Brandon and Hannah met online. Brandon "super liked" Hannah on a dating app and Hannah was intrigued since she recognized him as the tall, skinny guy that played basketball at PBL. Brandon was QUICK to ask Hannah on a date, since he didn't want to get to know her over a phone. They went on their first date the very next day at Original Pancake house in Bloomington. The following day, Hannah left for a trip to Florida with her family and Brandon made her a playlist with two of the songs being "One Less Lonely Girl" and "I Really Like You". When Hannah was back in Illinois, they immediately went to breakfast again, and then their first nigh date and the rest is history! Brandon fell in love with Hannah fast because he loved how ambitious she was, even as a mom of 3. And Hannah fell in love because Brandon immediately made her feel like she was home and welcomed her into his friends and family circles. Brandon quickly became an amazing father figure to Ellie, Liam and Dean and has loved them like his own kids since going Easter basket shopping with Hannah on their second date!

It was Christmas Eve morning (but we did Christmas morning with the kids that morning!) After a few months of talking about our next step, Hannah was suspicious that her hand would get a bit more sparkly that day. We finished opening gifts and....no ring. I quickly shook it off and told myself that it will happen when it happens (expecting to be waiting another few months.) We took the kids on our second annual Christmas Eve breakfast in matching jammies! When we got home, Brandon said he had to go unlock his gym for a player that needed to get some shots up, and Hannah started cleaning and putting together Ellie's new piano. (He later told me, that he had just got the call that my ring was ready and he went to go pick it up!) About 30 minutes, later, Brandon walks in the door and Hannah hears little footsteps and whispers up the steps leading to Ellie's room, where she was in the middle of putting the piano together.! Brandon gets down on his knee and asks Hannah to marry him! After some tears, shock and hugs, Hannah says YES! THE RING Hannah's ring is a family heirloom on her dad's side. We know it is for sure at least 100 years old and has been passed down through the generations. In 2016, Hannah inherited it, but was not in a great financial spot. Because of the value of the ring, Hannah's Uncle Billy offered to purchase it from Hannah until she was in a place to buy it back. Brandon completely surprised Hannah and bought the ring back from her uncle for her to wear forever!