We’re tying the knot!

Chris and I rode the same bus together in high school. We never had any classes together, but we saw each other on the bus of course and around school sometimes. We even added each other on social media, but never actually talked to one another. A few months after we graduated, I randomly decided to message Chris on Instagram just to see if he would respond. He responded pretty fast, and we hit it off right away. From there, we started texting every day. Eventually, we planned to meet up and hang out for the first time, and since that day in October of 2016, we have been inseparable. But I must note; at the beginning of that first night we hung out, I friend zoned him...but that didn’t last long! After that night I couldn’t deny he made me unbelievably happy! He was living in Richmond at the time, and I would make the drive from Williamsburg (70+ mile drive) almost every day after work just to spend time with him. We ended up finally getting our own place together in Richmond. Now here we are, getting married! Who knew I would one day marry the guy who rode my bus in ninth grade!

Chris and I had been dating for over three years on the day he proposed in February of 2020. We were on our way to Yorktown to visit his family on a Friday evening, and he told me we had to stop by his grandparent's river house to do something for them since they were out of town. I didn't think anything of it. We arrived at the river house, but I sort of knew something was up at that point because we passed his dad, who was exiting when we pulled into the long driveway. Chris and I walked up to the side door, and I waited for him to go get the key to open it. When he came back he took my hand and led me over to the fire pit out in the yard, overlooking the river. There, I saw champagne on ice along with two glasses, and then I turned around to see Chris drop down on one knee, holding out the ring, and tears instantly filled my eyes. He asked me to marry him. Obviously, I said yes! A couple of minutes later, his sister, Maddi, came out from inside to take pictures. Turns out his dad was there previously to drop off Maddi and the champagne and his timing was just a couple minutes off when it came to getting out of there without me seeing! We poured the champagne and celebrated (quickly because it was freezing outside).