Cody and I went to middle school together in the small town of Hanover, PA but didn’t start dating until my Masters year of college. He and my sister, Nicole, were the same age so we have known each other forever, but I was the annoying little sister and he, well, he was a boy so he had cooties at the time. It’s actually our awkward stages that I can never stop laughing about. Like the time he yelled “tsunami” when I jumped in the pool. Or the fact that I was probably the “pesty little sister” always bothering the big kids, haha! However, years later my sister moved to Baltimore and Cody lived nearby in the city. It was one fall night while visiting her when we truly got to know each other, not as 12 year-olds or high schoolers, but as adults (although we sometimes still act like we are kids). Our connection was instant, we danced the whole night away, and we have never stopped smiling since. Each day is an adventure and every moment is a blessing with him.

It was a chilly but beautiful day as the crystal snowflakes fell from the gray, blue sky. I thought we were going to his work's holiday party in Baltimore at a restaurant along the Broadway Pier. Cody wanted to get a picture- something we do too often so I had no suspicion of this gesture. We asked the only people we could see on the pier to take our photo. After they took a quick snap on his phone, I started walking toward the restaurant when Cody took my hand and continued to guide me toward the end of the pier. He began reminiscing on our first dates, our best times, our love, our friendship, and our dreams for the future. My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest when our eyes met. He got on one knee, and as the snow was falling rapidly, everything in that moment froze. He held up the most beautiful, sparkling ring, asked me to marry him, and of course, I shouted "YES!” After so many smiles and smooches, we saw the two sweet ladies who took our picture on Cody's Samsung, snapping photos on a professional camera and videotaping this dreamy moment. Cody had planned this all along, as well as a memorable photo and video session running around the city in the snow. His proposal was truly the biggest and best surprise. It was the most magical day of my life.

Copy and paste the link in a new tab to watch the Proposal: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f1wvwe3bctwquvd/AAB3oXvWEi7IHY8JjWUxtNU6a?dl=0&preview=Cody+%26+Bri-2.mp4