Gabe and I met back in 2003 when we were just two young kids who thought the other was cute. Even though we went to different high schools and colleges, we always found a way to keep in touch, whether it be by telephone or AIM instant messenger (yes this is how long ago we met). Gabe would invite me to his family's 4th of July party, down to Deep Creek for his family's ski trip weekend and we would make the occasional trips to visit each other in college. There was always a connection between us, however we never actually dated. We both played "hard to get" many times, or it was never good timing. One thing we have both learned is that timing is everything. Gabe called me right before he was planning to make the move out west for a job opportunity and I was very happy for him because I knew this was something he always wanted to do. We didn't talk much while he was there, but shortly after he moved back we saw each other at a Kenny Chesney concert for a brief minute. I didn't know he was moving back, but he made sure to tell me and we made plans to get together to catch up. We laughed, cried, talked about our families and started to plan trips together. It was then we realized that we both were meant to be together as more than just friends. I think our families were probably like “here we go again”, but this time it was the real thing. We both have grown so much, and continue to do so, over these past 16 years. We are so happy to be celebrating this time with our closest family and friends. And for the record, we both still think the other is cute :).

We got engaged in the romantic city of New York. The weekend before Thanksgiving we packed our bags for what I thought was going to be just another getaway weekend to explore a fun and busy city. However, Mother Nature had other plans. With a Nor'easter and 6 delayed flights, our trip was cut short, but we managed to have the best weekend anyway. During our last night after dinner in the neighborhood of Chelsea, we went to walk around the HighLine when Gabe asked if we could go to the Empire State Building. If you have been to NYC and have gone to the top of the Empire State Building you know exactly how high in the sky you are, offering one of the best views of the city. Gabe is not the best with heights, so I was a little surprised when he wanted to go. We went up 86 floors to the very top on the observatory deck, in the blistery cold with city lights shining so brightly and the most perfect view of Times Square when Gabe popped the question! We had talked about getting engaged for sometime and I knew it would happen, but really did not expect it to happen on the top of the world in one of my favorite cities. I of course said yes while crying and felt like I was in a chick flick because it was so perfect! We called our parents and my sister to tell them the good news, and we continue to feel the love from our families! We are so excited to continue sharing our love story together and cannot wait to celebrate our beginning with all of you!