This Is Really Happening!

I was always AWARE of the name Andrew Tauchen. He went to my high school, his sister, Allison is my age/grade and she has been a longtime friend of my brother, Brett. Word on the street was ALSO that he was a bigger Green Day fan than ME. Okay, sure Jan. Anyway, somehow, Andrew and I didn't actually cross paths until April of 2017. On April 5, 2017, we first met at a Green Day concert. The first time I met him he smiled at me and asked if he could give me a hug. On August 9, 2017, we met for a second fateful time at a SECOND Green Day concert! Thank everything for Revolution Radio, you know?! This second meeting was a little different because it was an outdoor venue with a grassy hill and blankets. Once Andrew learned where I was seated, he made his friends move to me. We danced and rocked out and cried to Green Day for the second time that night! Then, the final piece of the puzzle. On August 18, 2017, our beloved Taylor Swift CLEARED. HER. INSTAGRAM. and posted a single picture of what looked like snake scales. Before I met Andrew, the thing I knew most about him was that he was a Swiftie. I myself enjoyed dabbling in Swift Business, so I immediately knew I needed to check in, see if he knew what was going on. Turns out, I broke the news to Andrew about Reputation and I've been breaking Taylor Swift news to him ever since.

Andrew originally wanted to propose at Loverfest in August of 2020, but that was canceled forever (RIP Lover era, you deserved more). Lucky for me, our 4 year anniversary just happened to coincide with Green Day's much anticipated, rescheduled Hella Mega Tour (ALSO including Brittany fan favorite Fall Out Boy). So on August 25, 2021 we went to see Green Day together, making that our 3rd Green Day outing together. In between sets from Fall Out Boy and Green Day, Andrew asked our group to take a picture "by a cool mural" he found. We all went up and took a group photo and then he wanted to take a picture of just us since it is our anniversary. And THEN he turned to me and started talking about the last 4 years, all the joy, tears, laughter, big changes, and the Taylor of it all. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! I was shocked and my hands were shaking! Everyone around, friends and strangers alike, cheered for us and some even gave us some quick advice! After, we still watched Green Day's phenomenal set. During Jesus of Suburbia, Billie Joe offered his congratulations to another couple who had just gotten engaged. It was so exciting to hear him say CONGRATULATIONS!! Even if it wasn't to us! We are sooooo excited to share this love and this day with everyone!