Looking back at when we first met in 2016, our story began with one unexpected message sent over twitter. One day in early February 2016, one of our best friends, Ellory, implied to Chris that he may have caught the attention of Cassandra when he walked by her in Wick, Daemen’s dining hall. Chris hemmed and hawed on whether or not to ask her out on a date on Valentine’s Day. He originally decided no because he didn’t think anything would come of it. It wasn’t until a month later when Chris received 2 tickets for a Sabres game and needed someone to go with. He once again saw this as an opportunity to ask Cassie on a date. Late in the evening on March 14, 2016, Cassie received an unexpected message from Chris asking her on a date to the Sabres game. Being the reserved person Cassie is, she was unsure on whether or not she should go. After some words of encouragement from her roommates and mom, she decided to say yes. Despite walking past each other several times while attending Daemen together, we officially met for the first time on March 16, 2016. Although the sabres lost (are you surprised?), we had a great time, and can’t imagine our relationship beginning any other way.

Exactly 4 years and 8 months after that unexpected message, we went on a wine tasting tour on the Niagara Wine Trail to celebrate Cassandra’s last weekend before starting her new job. The day started at Black Willow Winery in Burt. After enjoying some wine slushies and the delicious Bare Cat Blush, we headed over to Spring Lake Winery in Lockport. We enjoyed a nice lunch outside under the space heaters on the chilly, but sunny Fall day. After finishing lunch, we went for a walk around the small lake where we “just so happened” to run into Ethan & Ellory. While taking photos, Chris got down on one knee and asked Cassandra to marry him; she obviously said yes! After the proposal, we celebrated the rest of the day with Ethan & Ellory at Arrowhead Spring Vineyards, Freedom Run Winery, and A Gust of Sun Winery & Vineyard enjoying more wine. We then headed home to show our favorite pup, Zoey, her paw-rents were engaged! But, the surprises weren’t over yet! With some help from his dad, Chris planned a dinner at Casa Antica in Lewiston with both our parents to celebrate our engagement. Our special day ended with an overnight stay at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino overlooking the Niagara Falls.