Friday June 04, 2021 Celebration

On New Year's Eve of 2015, Christina and her friend Laura had plans to go out, but first, Laura wanted to try to convince her boyfriend Ian to come with them. Conveniently, Ian was at Paul's house playing video games. Laura and Christina pulled up to Paul's house and the boys came out. Although it was unusually warm for December, Christina still recalls being shocked to see Paul come out in shorts and sandals to his driveway. They shook hands and made small talk, but due to the time, Laura and Christina left to go to a party. Later on, Laura told Christina that she had provided Ian her number to give to Paul since he had asked. On New Year's Day of 2016, Paul messaged Christina asking about how my New Years Eve had turned out. They messaged back and forth until they decided to meet in person. He initiated the date by talking about New Year's Resolutions. Christina explained she didn't typically do those, and he agreed. He then explained that he had once tried to give up coffee (caffeine). Christina replied through text that that was an outrageous resolution as coffee is one of her favorite drinks. He then suavely asked her if that meant she would like to grab a cup of coffee with him. Their first date was on January 2, 2016. They met at Kelly's Cafe in Brunswick and drank coffee and talked for hours followed by dinner at the Winking Lizard.

One of the ways Christina stays involved in her passion for dance is helping with the show choir at Medina, The Encore Entertainment Company. Encore is a talented group of singers & dancers and to showcase the students' talents and prove they take vocal lessons outside of rehearsal, the group hosts a performance called Showstoppers during which all the students perform a solo. It was during Showstoppers of 2018 that Paul proposed following an elaborate plan after scheming for months without Christina's knowledge! She was completely shocked and surprised!! On October 28, 2018, after the last student soloist in Showstoppers, it was determined that all the students would return to the stage to sing the ballad from the competition show. All the students were singing, when suddenly the lights all went out with the exception of a spotlight shining in the box that Christina was sitting in with two others including Katie. Both of them immediately left the box, and Christina, unsure of what was going on, got up to follow. Katie quickly realized, turned around and told her to go back and sit down. Christina hesitantly went back, and as she did the music stopped and slowly the students stopped singing. Then Paul appeared through the doorway. Christina believed he was working on a grant proposal in Columbus, so she was taken aback when he popped into the auditorium. Christina noticed her dad right behind Paul and knew immediately what must be happening. Paul got down on one knee, but after a short greeting, he quickly got up and took Christina on stage. The students were cheering as they realized what was occurring, and then Paul proposed on stage with their family and friends in the audience watching unbeknown to Christina at the time! Then Tom played a song as the two danced on the stage. It was a wonderful proposal, and Paul and Christina have so many friends and family to thank for its success and keeping it a total surprise from her!