We met as co-workers in February of 2018. Alyssa had just recently relocated for work to Athens, GA from Tennessee and I relocated from Texas. Over the next 9 months we would work closely together but in November of 2018, Alyssa received an opportunity and promotion that took her to nearby Kennesaw and away from Athens. Alyssa relocated to Kennesaw and we stayed connected through work. Although she had just moved, Alyssa still came to our Christmas party that we had planned together. This was where we began to grow our relationship and where I learned about her taste in fine whisky. From here we were inseparable and found ourselves spending hours on the phone and every free moment together. While so much has changed since then, our commitment to each other has only grown stronger.

I always knew I wanted to plan something special for this day. I had been planning to propose for some time but had not picked "the date" for the proposal. I knew the time was coming and already had the perfect ring ready but a chance opportunity gave us the weekend together without work or plans. Alyssa had been talking about seeing more of the area and I decided that we needed a date day. It is not uncommon to find us out and about town anytime we find ourselves free from work or other obligations but this time I surprised her with a trip to the High Museum in Atlanta. She had wanted to visit the museum so she did not hide her excitement. She picked the perfect outfit and by chance, got her nails done just days prior. Alyssa could not enter a museum and not look her best. This was something I was betting on and that's where luck was on my side. :-) Having the place and guest of honor was only one piece of the puzzle. We had to remember this day and all it would be. Thankfully some friends of mine just happen to be the perfect photographers. We researched and planned the day minute to minute and thanks to masking requirements, hiding in plain sight was even easier. So with a museum full of camera holding patrons in masks, our perfect day was made possible. We toured the museum just like every other young couple and as planned, I found myself confirming with my co-conspirators that we were ready for the moment. It was a little before 3pm and suddenly Alyssa did the most Alyssa thing...she found a bar cart on the first floor. In Alyssa's defense, this was not uncommon for us but if I resisted the bar cart, it would give it away so I went along with it. After a very quick drink and clandestine text to my friends, we were ready...few minutes late but ready. We proceeded to the predetermined place on the 3rd floor and we found our way to a giant stained glass mural. Alyssa loves stained glass. It was perfect. All was in place and everything around us went silent...