Our story starts way back in junior high. I was in 8th grade and Devin was in 7th. We had a bunch of mutual friends, so we saw each other around a lot, and I think it’s safe to say we both had a little crush. When Valentine’s Day rolled around, one of my friends kept telling me Devin wanted to ask me to the dance. Devin, being the smooth operator that he is, asked a friend to ask me on his behalf. Of course, I said yes. Fast forward to the last two years of high school. In the summer of 2016, I reached out to Devin on Snapchat (a true 21st-century love story). We talked for a few months, and on December 19, 2016, Devin officially asked me to be his girlfriend! For the next year of high school, there were a lot of baseball and basketball games attended, hang outs almost every evening after our practices, and, of course, way too many trips to Starbucks. We wouldn't have had it any other way. After high school, we ended up at different colleges, but distance couldn't keep us apart. Eventually, I transferred to Slippery Rock to finish my degree, which meant we were finally in the same place again. Those two years were filled with more Starbucks dates, quick meals at Boozel, pick-ups and drop-offs at the East Lake parking lot, and lots of time spent in the apartment watching Devin play Fortnite (a core memory, honestly). After college, we bounced between our parents’ houses until we finally found a place of our own. Between fixing up the duplex and tackling one project after another, life felt like it was moving fast. Then came vacation—a trip that would bring the biggest surprise of my life.

Every time we go on vacation, we always set aside one night just for the two of us—a little dinner date away from the group. On Sunday, July 21, our first full day at the beach, we decided to keep up the tradition and head to the Conch Cafe for dinner. Looking back, I probably should have suspected something was up when Devin was running around acting strangely quiet before we left. The restaurant was about a mile from our beach house, and for some reason (that I now regret), I cut left and started walking on the sidewalk instead of crossing the street to walk on the beach—completely unaware that everyone Devin had invited was staying right along that main street. So, there we were, sweating in 90-degree heat, when Devin casually suggested, "Let’s walk back on the beach to catch the ocean breeze." I agreed without a second thought. Dinner was perfect. There was even an unexpected moment where a photographer at the restaurant snapped our picture (which, in hindsight, was very convenient). Devin ordered a piña colada to-go, and we started walking toward the beach. As we walked toward the water, Devin asked me to hold his drink. I grabbed it and kept strolling along—until I realized he wasn’t following me. Turning around, I saw him on one knee, holding a ring box. Now, I knew the proposal was coming eventually, but on that vacation, at that moment in time, was not when I thought it was going to happen. It took me a couple seconds to process that it was actually happening. But once I processed that it was, in fact, real, I said "YES!" We made our way back to the house, both crying (happy tears, of course). We got halfway up the stairs to the kitchen and Devin started giggling—always a telltale sign that something was up. Then he said, "I have one more surprise." I rounded the corner to find a wall full of our family and friends waiting to celebrate with us. Having all of our loved ones (minus a few who couldn’t make it) there for the rest of the week was the icing on the cake. That week will forever be one of the best of my life. Over the years, we graduated high school and college, got big boy/big girl jobs, traveled to new places, became homeowners, and celebrated countless milestones and memories that will last a lifetime. But most importantly, we’ve grown up side by side, learning the importance of love, trust, and partnership. Now, as we stand on the brink of forever, we’re beyond excited to celebrate our love with all of you. Thank you for being part of our journey—we can’t wait to share our special day with the people who mean the most to us!