We're Getting Married!

I walked into an Italian restaurant in NJ for a rehearsal dinner and found myself stuck. While checking my coat at the door, a young lady made my heart stop from across the room, I had to meet her. I was looking for any way possible to jump into a conversation with her. Nervous, but anxious to talk to her, I jumped into a conversation she was having with other family members and made a slight fool of myself. Or did I? Because now I had her attention. She ended up being my partner in the wedding and I seized every moment I could to show her my intentions. One stain removal and a couple conversations later, I worked up enough courage to go ask her to dance. Dancing with her felt like time was frozen, I felt myself blushing the entire time. I was so overcome with joy I couldn’t help but think how could I make this work since she lived across the country from me. I knew she was the one after our first conversation. After sending her flowers and a couple months of texting, I finally convinced her that we’d be stupid to not give us a shot. We knew the hard work it would take but it didn’t matter. The first time I saw her after meeting at the wedding, I asked her to be my girlfriend and she said yes! Dating from 2,390 miles away felt like a lifetime between us. Many FaceTime calls and flights later, we finally hit a point where it was now or never. Moving in together was the next big step. After two amazing years living together, we outgrew our space and wanted to move so we built a home together. What an amazing experience it was. After living in our new home for a couple years now, the time never felt so right to put a stamp of forever on us. After asking the most important people in her life for their blessings for Ericka’s hand in marriage, I planned her dream proposal in Paris on her 28th birthday and she said yes! I’m officially the happiest man alive! Here’s to forever with my love.

A simple birthday trip to Paris for the first time made monumental. France, Paris specifically, was always a place I knew I had to go to! I have been obsessed for years, so when Gary suggested we go for my 28th birthday I of course thought it was a brilliant idea! We arrived in Paris on my birthday November 1st, and Gary had the most perfect day planned. Lunch on a Seine River cruise, shopping on Champs Elysees where I shopped for gorgeous bags and treats throughout the day. As far as I knew, we were going to dinner at Cafe de l'Homme with a gorgeous view of the Eiffel tower to celebrate the end of the most perfect birthday. When we got close to the restaurant, Gary suggested we go sit on a bench along the Seine and watch the Eiffel tower sparkle. Next thing I knew, I am being blindfolded and led down stairs, someone changing my shoes from flats into heels when I hear a woman's voice say, "You can take off the blind fold!" I am then met with the most spectacular, breathtaking view every girl dreams of, the Eiffel tower sparkling, a pink carpet covered in pink and white roses lined with candles, sparklers bursting into the air, a violinist playing the most beautiful melody, these HUGE light up marquee letters that say, 'Marry Me' and the love of my life smiling from ear to ear waiting for me to meet him at the end of it all. I am then met with him going down on one knee and asking me to be his wife in the most special, meaningful way. After a quick photoshoot, we went to dinner where they were already prepared with celebratory champagne and flowers. It was the most magical evening and I am still on cloud 9.