we're getting married!

Well this is should not be a surprise to anyone, but here it is! So back-story first - both Mike and Jill grew up in Chapel Hill 7 minutes away from each other. Jill went to Cedar Ridge High and Mike when to Chapel Hill High. They also both went to Elon University and their paths never crossed until right before graduation in May 2015. Jill knew some of the Elon baseball players from her Exercise Science classes. One day she was scrolling on Facebook and though hmmm I wonder if their are any cute baseball guys *cue lots of scrolling* and then Michael Elefante from Chapel Hill showed up on her screen and "dang he is cute" ran across her mind which prompted her to sent a message stating "Hey I'm not really trying to be creepy, but how have I not run into you??" on May 21st, 2015 to which Mike responded "Idk haha you tell me?" and the rest is history. Well fast forward to graduation - they still has not met and they are texting the whole day and Jill see Mike at the water fountain during the rehearsal and is too nervous to go over and talk to him so she waits until graduation starts to tell him I'm the one with the brain on the cap. Fast forward to our 1st date at 411 (Italian restaurant) and then Mike leaving Jill for FL for an entire summer. Fast forward to the end of that summer - Mike invites Jill the beach for the weekend where he asks her to be his girlfriend - she said duh. They obviously fell madly in love which lead to many baseball games, late night drives to see each other and eventually moving to TX and TN and owning the 2 cutest dogs ever. Cue our biggest fight ever - it was during Mike's 5th year at Elon and Jill is studying for extra classes too. They go out to dinner and get gourmet mac and cheese (Jill's favorite). There is left overs and Mike offers to heat it up for Jill while she is studying. As he bringing it in for her, he takes a bite... the worst thing he could have ever done. So much sass came his way, but they got through it. Lesson learned.

Mike had been looking at rings at work for some time and found a jeweler that he wanted to go to. He picked out the exact diamond he wanted and the setting to make the most perfect ring. Now for the proposal. Their dating anniversary is 08/21 and Jill's b-day is 09/13, so Mike told Jill he planned a surprise trip for both occasions. He kept the destination a secret for as long as possible, but like most surprises, we can't wait. We're going to Nashville! Jill had always wanted to go! Before the trip took place, Mike received an unbelievable job offer that just fell into his lap. He couldn't turn it down, so they started planning the move. They went to Nashville to look at houses - found their 1st home and the set the closing date as October 29th... could this not be more perfect. Fast forward to the trip - we fly in and pick up our rental car - a MASERATI! The next day they start all the fun activities - 1st, a cool brunch and then the Country Music Hall of Fame where Martina McBride was signing her new cookbook! Is this really happening? Of course Jill buys the cookbook and waits in line to meet her and get it signed. Then they get ready for the evening - Arrington Vineyards where the weather isn't that great, but they still get some wine and listen to bluegrass music. Then he "goes to the bathroom" and says hey there is a cool sunset lets go check it out - we walk to the top of this hill where we see a photographer (Jill thinks nothing of it). They take a selfie and then Mike starts shaking and trying to say his thing. Jill doesn't let him (she thinks that he is going to know that she knows it's happening - but it WAS ALREADY HAPPENING). He gets down on one knee and asks - they both black out about what was said or done, but Jill snatches the ring out of the box and puts it on her finger (classic Jill). Then they take all of their beautiful engagement photos. They call everyone we can think of and then change to get ready for an amazing dinner at Kayne Prime!