Tony and I worked at the same small company for over a year before meeting through mutual work friends. Once we started spending time together, we quickly became interested in one another, but didn't want to become a topic of gossip, so we started dating quietly. The charade only lasted a few weeks and we quickly admitted to our close knit group of work friends that we were a couple, which (of course!) they had already known for some time. So much for our secrecy!

Although we loved living in Chicago, neither one of us saw ourselves living there long term. I had been planning to leave Chicago when an opportunity arose, but put my plans on hold when I started dating Tony to give our relationship a chance. After only a few months of dating, Tony and I discussed the possibility of moving somewhere new together when our leases were up. Within the next six months, we'd quit our jobs, packed up our apartments and watched the Chicago skyline fade in the rearview mirror. Since then we've cultivated a wonderful life in our new city and enjoyed its central location to so many friends and places we love.

One of the great things about living in Nashville is our proximity to Sarni family condo in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Since moving to Nashville, we've tried to take advantage of the relatively easy drive and visit whenever we could. Whether we are at the beach with friends, family or just the two of us, we always make time for a sunset walk on the beach. On this particular trip, I was recovering from a very large, stressful event and was looking forward to escaping the city and bringing our dog, Lincoln, to the beach for the first time. During the first sunset of the trip, we got ready for our walk and I tried desperately to bring Lincoln. Tony wouldn't have it and I was honestly a little upset. I felt that it was her vacation too and she should get to enjoy the beach! I caved eventually and we started off on our long walk down the beach. Tony seemed especially worried about some young people playing touch football on the beach while I talked and talked about nothing in particular. He then moved us away from the waters edge and I felt his pulse quicken a little. He turned us back toward the condo and dropped to his knee! As is characteristic, I started crying immediately and choked out a yes.

As the coronavirus pandemic turned our lives upside down, Tony and I became increasingly concerned about our October wedding. We had always intended to be legally married in advance of our wedding day, but with everything going on, we decided to move up our wedding date. In June, we drove up a windy road into the Smoky Mountains and exchanged vows during a short break in a rainstorm. It wasn't the wedding that we had envisioned, but it was perfect. Then in July, our parents came to Nashville for a visit and we broke the news that we'd come to the conclusion that we would need to postpone our wedding, but more importantly, we were already married. They were disappointed about the postponement, but thrilled that we were already happily married! Now, we intend to enjoy our first year of marriage and celebrate with you next September!