our love story started out as.... friends! Connor and Gracy were best friends for 2.5 years before making the switch to more. Connor is originally from Seattle, WA and Gracy is from Cave Creek, AZ, but fate brought them to San Diego, CA. We learned about each other's characters and developed a mutual respect, trust and deep friendship for years before realizing.. HEY we want to be more than just PALS ;)

rewind... we met at .. WORK! Thank you Chips and Frito-Lay for bringing us together! Gracy and Connor met on their very first day of work in the "real world" post-college. Gracy was brand new to San Diego and Connor was generous enough to bring her in to his big group of friends from SDSU. After MANY hours of little sleep, long days and wearing knee pads while driving a semi truck for work, a friendship blossomed. Sand volleyball & hiking on the weekend + thousands of giggles sealed the deal :)

then began the.. back and forth... and Connor convinced Gracy to go on a "formal" first date in Coronado, CA. Gracy knew it was a date when she walked outside and found Connor's 1965 Mustang waiting to sweep her away... he was pulling out all the stops! We were equally nervous and excited to chart down a new path together and see where it lead. Gracy remembers being NERVOUS and was grateful for her brother Brett and sis Steph for joining later for dinner. Gracy and Connor shared their first kiss shortly after that date :)

fast forward a few months.. it was time to make things official! Connor asked Gracy out "Love Actually" style after Gracy made him watch it for the first time the previous December. Silently flipping through giant pieces of paper, he expressed his feelings and she said heck yes! That began a dating season full of navigating long distance, 2 trips to Europe, weddings galore + tons more travel & adventure, and eventually Connor moving back to San Diego to be reunited :)

then came the PROPOSAL! Connor convinced Gracy the engagement wouldn't happen for a while... so she was MORE than surprised when he popped the question back at Calumet Park, the same place he asked her out + one of the best hidden ocean views in San Diego/ favorite spot. Connor convinced Gracy to go on a walk with the help of some friends (shoutout Dave/Rose) and then veered off to ask. Megan, Eli and Elly popped out of the bushes like stealthy FBI agents and surprised Gracy to celebrate! Afterwards, we met Brett and Steph and unbeknownst to us, a surprise celebration awaited us in Coronado. Connor and Gracy were greeted by friends + family from Arizona, Washington and San Diego. A dream come true!

we just want to say, WE LOVE YOU! if you are still here reading this novel, we hope you know how much you mean to both Connor and Gracy. We couldn't make it through life without our AMAZING support system of friends and family. We will see you on the dance floor this April!!!! Get your boots ON! :)