We both went to a local bar, MaGerks, for completely separate reasons. I was helping a friend scroll through Tinder seated at the bar, while Carl was out celebrating a friends birthday at a nearby table. We both claim that when I walked into the place that we saw one another first. Only a glance or a look every once in a while, we did not want to make it obvious. Eventually, Carl's friends decided they needed to grab a drink from the bar, and not the table they were seated at. That was when my chair leg was kicked....and a conversation began between all of us. We eventually started talking to one another after stealing more looks at each other, we spent the rest of the night chatting about anything and everything. Before leaving, I made sure I got Carl's number and thankfully he reached out, bringing up the candy bar we spoke about in person, called a Whatchamacallit Bar. I still to this day, find the name hilarious and love that during our first date, Carl brought one for me to try. Our first date was abut two weeks later, we decided something fun was the best way to get to know one another and keep it stress free. We started out at DaveNBusters, making our way back to Magerks where we stayed until closing time. We both did not want the date to end there so we went to our favorite diner, Lancers. We were both hooked after that first date, leading us to talking on the phone, going out on more dates, meeting each others families and most importantly, introducing Dominic and Carl to one another. The day that the boys met in person just confirmed that I made the right choice bringing Carl into our lives. 4 years later and the boys are best buds, Carl is an amazing fatherly role model and we have a perfect little family of the three of us!

The proposal started out with Krista saying she wanted family photos and how we needed some new updated photos of the three of us. Right away my mind started to think of the best way to make that happen and started brain storming ideas. It finally came to me when I thought of a place where we both felt so much peace, joy and love. That special place was the little beach down in Long Neck, Delaware at Kristas family beach house. So many happy memories were made down there over the years and a place we as a family grew so much. It also helps having the beach down there to make for some nice photos, so I was in business. After looking for a photographer I was able to finally coordinate " Family photos" into our stay down in Long Neck. I needed to find a way to bring both families together and get them involved with making this all come full circle. Krista's family was great about helping set up what looked like our normal hang out on the beach, play some games and have some adult drinks while we watched the sun go down. My parents were also there, hiding off to the side waiting for the magical moment to finally happen. As we were half way through our family photos, it was time for the big moment to happen. Krista had always mentioned to me over the years, " You could just ask me with a ring pop and I would say yes!" Dom was able to hand Krista the ring pop and it certainly threw her for a loop and really had to think why she would be getting this at this very moment and then it finally hit her. She quickly turned around and saw me down on one knee asking her to marry me. Thankfully she said yes because while asking her, I became so full of emotion that I blacked out!!! haha.....but finally after four years, we were finally engaged and got some beautiful " Family Photos" done.