We have been friends since high school. I went to Bloomfield High School, and Andrew went to Honeoye High School. As anyone from the area knows, these are rival high schools so dating each other was definitely out of the question at the time! There were, however, many occasional run-ins with each other during the decade or so after we graduated from high school. There were run-ins at Cheap Charlie's (the local Bloomfield watering hole) where we would complain or celebrate how the Red Sox season was going (we are both big fans). There were run-ins at CMAC concerts, one run in at a Chris Stapleton concert where I gave Andrew a band-aid because his loafers were giving him blisters (I'm a nurse, so usually I'm prepared with any first aid essentials). The universe seemed like it was really trying to bring us together, and finally it did! I was at a wedding in Texas where some of Andrew's friends were in attendance, and Andrew was at a wedding in Canandaigua, NY where my best friend, Allison (also a bridesmaid) was in attendance. Andrew asked Allison how I was doing, and I asked Andrew's friend how Andrew was doing. Several drinks led to texting, several more drinks led to finally asking each other out. We apparently just needed to be across the country from each other to finally muster up the courage to go for it. There was never any going back from there, and the rest is history!
The big day was July 5th, 2020. It was incredibly hot and humid that day! We had plans to go our friend's daughter's Birthday Party (Leta, she is also Andrew's goddaughter), and then to my parent's house for some swimming and a clam bake. On our way to my parent’s house, Andrew told me he wanted to go fishing at the pond near my parent's house. I very much did not want to go. I told him it was hot and he wouldn't catch anything (I wasn't being very nice that day). My parents convinced me to go over with him, as they were in on the big plans Andrew had in store. I reluctantly walked over, still not being my usual bright and cheery self. Once we got over to the pond, Andrew got down on one knee and asked. I was shocked, and many tears were shed. I was mostly just thrilled that he still wanted to marry me, even though I clearly was not being my best self that day. It was the easiest question I've ever had to answer! This was a special proposal spot, as we are currently in the process of building our forever home right next to where Andrew asked me to marry him. We got to celebrate with a pool party and a clam bake after. It was the best day ever (until September 18, 2021 of course).