The story of us. An adventure that all started with two people 1131.8 miles away from each other, a girl from Olathe, Kansas and a boy from Bath, Pennsylvania. But, our story began in Newark, New Jersey where fate brought us together at McGovern’s tavern in the heart of Newark on a warm October night through a now mutual friend Kelley. Caitlin had moved to Newark after dental school to further her education at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and Cody had started his graduate fellowship to pursue his master’s degree in Public Administration. Caitlin had walked in with a friend after going to a haunted house and Cody had been there with friends after going to a local comedy show. When Caitlin walked in the door we both locked eyes and it seemed like the world shined bright again. The two of us had an instant attraction to each other and Caitlin was trying to make new friends in the area so she was having people add her on social media, so Cody took the initiative to add his information in her phone. After talking, Caitlin had asked Cody how old he was…Being honest, Cody replied 23 and Caitlin responded…man if you were 25 or older I’d totally flirt with you (which is Cody’s favorite line to tell people now). The night went on and we were “flirting” all night and enjoying each other’s company. From this night on Caitlin and Cody had an amazing connection, getting to know each other was so easy and fun. Every day was filled with enthusiasm, flirting and adventure.

Both of us not knowing many people in the area we declared our title as, “Adventure Buddies” who would travel together and see all that the North East had to offer. After just the first week Cody asked Caitlin if she liked Bacon and Beer, obviously, she said, “you had me at hello”. So that week Cody took her to Pennsylvania for the first time where she met his family. The connections grew stronger and our adventurous friendship turned into a passionate love. Cody’s mom had planned on going to the Garth Brooks concert months before he knew Caitlin was a Garth Brooks fanatic. After debating on if Caitlin wanted to go she finally gave in hours before the concert and astoundingly found a seat close. But, she was able to join us practically right next to the stage and this is where we exchanged our first, “I love You’s”. From then on out we planned adventures together including Canada, Puerto Rico, Iceland, Germany and most recently the Finger Lakes of New York for our engagement trip. Of course, we had to visit New York City, I mean we are only a few minutes away, so we decided to go into the crown of Lady Liberty and walked around the historical halls of Ellis Island. But, the most important trip for Cody to make was meeting Caitlin’s family in Florida. After this trip is when he knew that he could ask the, “Big Question”, although he had already known for quite some time that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

Surprising Caitlin on our engagement day is an understatement. Cody and his mom Wendy had been telling Caitlin all week that we were going to meet up at a winery and then go out to dinner for Cody's step father's birthday after Caitlin had got home from work on Saturday and to bring something nice to wear. Little did she know Cody had planned out the entire day for her and Cody. Caitlin had been at work all day while Cody diligently set up the entire yard of his parents house and the inside as well. Cody had gone and bought a bouquet of yellow roses, "Caitlin's favorite color" as well as a fancy set of country side flowers with sunflowers which is the Kansas state flower. Upon arrival, Cody had been waiting outside for Caitlin with the yellow roses. Caitlin was on the phone with a friend and thanked Cody, but she hurried inside to get ready for plans with his parents. Caitlin walked upstairs to a candle lit bathroom with rose petals. She looked at me and then her watch and said, "did I forget about something"? Cody had left a note in the bathroom for her as he waited downstairs where he left her a note and a sign that said, "Adventure Buddies Forever". Cody was playing their favorite songs in the background as she read the note and when she finished he took her outside where there was two paths of roses leading to two different spots in the yard. First, there was a PowerPoint of all their times they shared together. After this, he walked her out to the other side of the yard where he also set up a table with blue champagne and Tiffany champagne glasses. Cody had set up his phone to record it as well. It was truly perfect as she responded, “why are you crying…yes…OF COURSE…wait did you ask my dad?” We may be missing a few minor details, but it has been a dream come true getting to know one another and we could not be happier to be getting married January 19th, 2019. It almost seems like a fairy tale that we had each other at hello, and the rest is history…