It was 2009, Terence was home from Rhode Island & myself from Christopher Newport. Growing up in the same hometown, our paths never crossed before. At the time I hated country music, but still ended up at WMZQ Fest at Jiffy Lube Live (back then Nissan Pavilion!), where I guess you could say our paths literally crossed - I actually walked into Terence. When I bumped into him, he grabbed me to keep me from falling and said, I kid you not, "Where have you been all my life?" What a line! We ended up hanging out for the rest of the tailgate and took our infamous first picture together - you know the one where I'm actually kicking his butt. It wasn't hard to be drawn towards his crazy personality and infectious smile. Terence found me on FaceBook the next day - though my boyfriend at the time had me delete him immediately lol - I guess I was overly excited about my new "friend". Regardless we kept each other in mind ever since... Sidenote: Later down the road, while I was still at Christopher Newport and Terence back home, he sent me the song, "Keep Me In Mind" by Zac Brown Band. It's a good one, look it up!

Proposing to Dani was something I thought and dreamed about many times. I was in search for the perfect time and place. For my 30th birthday Dani had planned a surprise trip with family and friends. Me being the detective that I am (noisy) found out something was going on, I just was not sure what. I found myself at my sisters job a few weeks prior the trip waiting for her to get off and was pumping her for information regarding the when and where. I could not get her to spill the beans completely but she did confirm my suspicions. She was caught by surprise when I responded with " ok I am closing out my tab, lets go to mall I need to buy a ring". From there we went straight to the mall. Being that the trip was so close I called Dani's parents on the way to get their blessing. Dani's mom gave great advice on the purchasing of the ring and traveling with it. Soon there after we landed in Jamaica. Keeping the ring hidden on the flight and in the room was a task in itself leading up to the day. I knew my birthday dinner would be the perfect setting to pop the question. I was on pins and needles all day when the day finally arrived. I knew everyone was a little curious as to why I was not partaking in as many adult sodas as normal, especially because we had come all that way it was my official 30th. The night finally arrived and the time had come. I had never been so nervous in my life. Since my sister was the only one who knew and I couldnt get the ring out without Dani noticing, she had to sneak back to the room during dinner to get the ring for me. I met her on her return to put it in my pocket. I knew it would be normal to give a toast thanking everyone for coming all this way to celebrate with me. As I wrapped up the toast I pulled the ring out of my pocket and the look on Dani's face was nothing short of amazing. I believe she said yes through the tears before I actually got down on my knee. In that moment she gave me the best birthday gift I had ever received.