Emilee was a freshman, sitting by herself, when Ardy first noticed her. He thought she was cute and worked up the courage to ask if she wanted to sit with him… but before he could make his move, her friends showed up and took the seat. A missed moment, but definitely not the end of the story. Through mutual friends, especially Dustin and Caroline, their paths kept crossing. Ardy had apparently tried more than once to flirt and get Emilee’s attention, but she wasn’t exactly picking up what he was putting down. After one last attempt, he gave up… or at least, he thought he did. Not long after, everything shifted. One night at Dustin and Caroline’s house, Emilee saw Ardy again and had a completely different thought: “Wait… when did Ardy get cute?” The next time they saw each other, the conversation finally clicked. The very next day, Emilee casually told a group of friends, “I wouldn’t say no if Ardy asked me out.” Their friend Julien made sure that the message got delivered. Soon after, a Facebook message came through: “It was really great talking with you last night. Would you want to grab a drink on Saturday?” She said yes, and from that moment on, they’ve been inseparable. Their first date was on March 25, 2017, and just one month later, they made the bold decision to move in together once their leases ended. That townhome became the place where their life truly began, filled with love, laughter, and eventually their little family: Cora, Abbey, and Athena, each one becoming just as much a part of both of their lives as the other. Over the past nine years, they’ve built something steady, supportive, and deeply rooted in growing together through every season of life, always choosing each other. On July 26, 2025, Ardy turned a normal day into one Emilee will never forget. He planned a day in Winchester, starting with getting dressed up for photos, walking around the pedestrian mall, and stopping at Village Square for snacks and a glass of wine. Then, he led her to Handley Regional Library, asked her to set her things down, and guided her into place. When she turned around, he was on one knee. In complete shock, she needed a little reminder to say yes, but of course she did. And when she looked up, she saw all of their closest friends, who had been hiding nearby, ready to celebrate with them. The night didn’t end there. Ardy had reserved a private space at Union Jack Pub & Restaurant, the same place they had their very first date, so they could celebrate where it all began. Later, they returned home to find it decorated by friends, making the entire day feel even more special. From a missed moment in a college cafeteria to building a life, a home, and a family together, this has always been a story of timing, growth, and choosing each other again and again. And now, they can’t wait to celebrate the next chapter with all of you.