Georgette and Charlie first met during their college years at American University. It remains a mystery who introduced us, but we often saw each other through mutual friends in Charlie's fraternity and even shared our very first kiss at a Sigma Phi Epsilon party. Despite a few lunch dates at American University's dining hall, TDR, we ultimately parted ways, as Charlie graduated early to join the Marines and Georgette studied abroad in China. It was not until 2015 that we reconnected when Charlie was back in DC working at the State Department between his two years of graduate school at the University of Denver. When Charlie first asked Georgette to meet for a drink, Georgette wasn't sure if it was two old friends catching up, Charlie was seeking career advice, or if it was a date. Charlie totally thought it was a date. At the end of the summer, we were forced to part ways again, with Charlie returning to Denver to finish his master's degree and Georgette about to join Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. At the time, we decided we liked each other too much to start a long distance relationship. However, we acknowledged we were both likely to end up in DC. When that happened, and if the time was right, we decided then might be a better time to give a serious relationship a shot. Charlie moved back to DC in June 2016 to begin his job at the Defense Intelligence Agency. He was back in DC not even a week before his fraternity brothers convinced him to reconnect with Georgette, who knew he had graduated and was eagerly waiting to hear if he was back. Georgette and Charlie went on their third first date on June 22, 2016. The rest is history!

Georgette had mixed feelings about her 30th birthday. Little did she know that for months Charlie had been planning a special surprise. That morning, we got an early start. After a big breakfast, we drove to the Salamander Resort. On our way, Georgette told Charlie she was hoping to see a cardinal, which always reminds her of her Grandma Roberta, the only one of her grandparents Charlie has never met. Minutes later, we passed a painted cardinal. It's unclear how Charlie was able to relax during our couples' massage or as we dipped in the hot tub. After our spa day, we dressed up for cocktails at the Salamander's lobby bar, where we watched the sun set after a cloudy day. The bartender complimented Charlie for matching his tie with Georgette's dress, and Georgette told her he was a keeper. We then had one of the best dinners of our lives. After splitting chateaubriand, lobster tails, and s'mores, a moonlit stroll was in order. The sky was clear, the stars were glowing, and there was a cool breeze as we walked down a lantern lit path to a bonfire pit on the giant Salamander lawn. Charlie asked Georgette if she wanted to sit, so she turned to pull two Adirondack chairs closer to the fire. Charlie then said, “before you sit..." and when Georgette faced him, he was down on one knee, with her grandmother’s engagement ring sparkling in the moonlight. It turns out Charlie and Georgette's Grandpa George had shared a “military secret” for several days. Georgette was completely surprised. She bent over, tried to catch her breath, and started crying. Poor Charlie was still on one knee waiting for a response, and when Georgette could finally speak, she said "YES!" We ended the evening back at the cocktail bar, where the bartender was happy to see us again. As she poured champagne, there were laughs about how Charlie really is a keeper!

We are so grateful to have you take part in this very special time in our lives and for being such an important part of who we are as a couple. While we love our life in DC, you might be wondering why we are getting married in Warrenton, VA. We would be happy to host you in DC any time, but it is important to us to have our wedding in a place where the emphasis can be on two families and friend groups becoming one, big extended family. Our wedding will include people who we love so much that they are willing to travel from Arkansas, California, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington -- just to name a few states -- to celebrate with us on our big day. It is our hope that we will all be able to leave the distractions of city life behind and enjoy being together in the Virginia countryside. As big history nuts, Warrenton also appeals to our inner nerds. The Black Horse Inn is an elegant, 19th century country estate, part of which served as a hospital during the Civil War. The Inn is named after the famous Black Horse Cavalry, which led a successful charge against Union forces at the First Battle of Manassas. Throughout the Civil War, the town changed hands between Union and Confederate control more than 40 times. During your stay, we hope you'll take the time to visit historic downtown Warrenton!