It all started on a fall day in October when I decided to take a half day off of school to hike McAfee Knob. Heading towards Blacksburg, Va, I decided to call, as I always do, my really close friend, Chuck, as that was our ritual. He informed me that he was in the area with his fraternity brothers, as Virginia Tech had a home football game on Saturday. Chuck asked if I wanted to meet up with them later that evening after my hike for some dinner. I told him I would let him know. After a long hike, catching the sunset, and making it down the mountain in the pitch black...I was in no mood to meet anyone for dinner. I called Chuck to let him know I wouldn't be coming due to sheer exhuastion and he informed me at some point I was going to have to eat. With some persuading from him, I met he and the guys in Roanoke. My goal was to order dinner to go and head back to my hotel as I had a weekend of hiking scheduled. Needless to say, upon entering the establishment and heading to Chuck's table there sat one of his fraternity brothers with an empty seat next to him. I sat down and, within minutes, Eric introduced himself to me and soon we were engulfed in conversation as though nobody else in the place existed. Soon my food arrived, and I left to head back to the hotel. Time passed and with the help of Chuck (my friend and Eric's fraternitiy brother), he worked to make sure Eric and I had each other's phone number. Six weeks later, on Eric's birthday, he decided to reach out to me via text. Eric said this was either going to be the best birthday gift or his worst. Texting lasted a little while and finally eight months later (as we were living in two separate states...200 miles apart) it worked out that I was going to be in Philadelphia seeing a concert. I reached out to him and let him know if he was near there, we could meet up. Eric said it would work perfectly and he was not only available to meet up that Friday, but he had the weekend available. He arrived on that Friday morning, June 17th ,2021, and the rest was history. I knew the moment my eyes met his and I could finally hear my laughter for the first time in a long time, that this was a man I couldn't live without. As Eric has said many times to me, "You saved my life!" and I felt the same way about him. - Stephanie's 'recap'

Our life had become so busy with traveling, getting kids settled into their lives, selling Eric's home, and breaking ground on our new home, that we felt a trip away was in order. I had booked a trip to Culpepper, Va for Eric and I to unwind as well as get in a hike to Old Rag mountain. Finally after work on that Friday afternoon we made it to Culpepper. Eric had gone above and beyond and was unpacking drinks and food for the weekend. Once everything was unloaded, we went to our favorite place for pizza, "Far Gohn Brewing Company". Closing out the night we were both looking forward to our hike the next day. Needless to say, I had no clue what was to come. The next morning, Eric packed a backpack with a blanket and snack foods along with our water bottles. The weather was lovely with a cool breeze and the hike was beyond enjoyable. We would stop along with the way to enjoy the views. Finally we made it to the summit of Old Rag mountain for the beautiful 360 degree view. Eric and I decided to spread out the blanket, enjoy our snacks, and take a short rest. Once rested and renewed, it was time to head back down the mountain. Eric said he would be back as he needed to use the "restroom" (not true...but again..I had no clue!). He was walking behind a rock to ask a couple of strangers if they would be willing to take pictures and video as he was about to propose to me. Eric returned and asked me if I was ready to go. I got up and started to fold the blanket. Eric said hold on...he grabbed my hand and then reached into his pocket to pull out a piece of paper. He started reading from it and I thought we were just having a serious talk...in no way a marriage proposal. I even said out loud, "Please don't do this!" and a group of girls screamed, "No, do it!". They seemed to know more of what was going on then I did. I was just standing there in disbelief...completely numb. Then Eric leaned down, unzipped the front compartment of his backpack, and brought out a ring box. To say I lost my mind, was an understatement. He got on his knee and proposed to me. Of course I said, YES!!!" All of a sudden loud cheers erupted from up on the summit from all the spectators that had quietly stood and watched this unbelievable moment unfold before them. Eric still loves the fact that I said I could never be surprised. He completely caught me off guard. I was a sweaty mess that was 100% unprepared for this moment and being the control freak that I am....Eric got me good on this one! A moment that will forever leave a lasting imprint on my heart! Let the wedding planning begin....he was giving me the fairytale I had always dreamed of having. -Stephanie's 'somewhat muddled memory of the events and how they unfolded'