Please join us at 3:00 for a cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres before we exchange vows at 4:15. 3:00- Cocktail Hour 4:15- Ceremony 5:00- Toasts and Dances 5:30- Dinner 6:15- Cutting of Cake

We met the way many couples do: through a mutual friend. Prior to our first date, we had spoken a number of times but never held a real conversation one on one. Our mutual attraction was mostly expressed through stolen glances and awkward small talk, the only exception being a karaoke duet I requested on my 23rd birthday. (Because what else is a gal to do?! I chose ABC by Jackson 5 for reasons that are still unknown.) It took the better part of a year for us to go on a date. Our friend Lindsey facilitated this; I wouldn't classify myself as shy, but I did run to the ladies room once to avoid being alone with Drew! Lindsey made it clear he was interested in me, but he made me nervous and I didn't think it would lead anywhere. Drew's thoughts were similar. It was apparent on our first date that we were wrong. After a few months of seeing one another, Drew asked, “will you be my girlfriend?” It was so wholesome and kind, like that adolescent, run-from-your-crush kind of love, but for grownups. Is that a thing? We agreed if we were going to be together, we were going to do it right from day one, promising to always be honest, willing to listen, and assume the best in each other. We knew this was something different. We cant wait to celebrate and make these same vows in the presence of our friends and family.

We had been talking seriously about marriage for a while, and I knew Drew had spoken with my family about proposing. I also knew my mom gave Drew her mother's ring, but I didn't know exactly when it would all happen. We had plans for dinner one evening with a friend, and I started to get ready as soon as I got off work. I took my time because I knew our friend had to do a couple things before meeting up with us. When Drew got home, I noticed he was pacing a bit, but I thought he was just restless. About half an hour later he asked, “could you please come here for a second?” and stepped into our dining area. He began with “you know I love you, right?” to which I answered “oh gosh, what did I do?!” I thought for sure I had somehow upset him. He proceeded to take me by the hands so I said “yes, and I love you too.” I knew then what was up. He told me that his father proposed to his mother in their living room, and that he wanted to keep up that tradition. At that moment, he reached into his pocket, got down on one knee, and asked, “will you marry me?” Barely looking at the ring, I said “YES!” A minute or two went by before I pointed out we weren’t actually in our living room- but I’m glad he couldn’t wait another moment longer. It was perfect.

Drew and I booked a venue and a photographer as soon as we picked a date, and by then it was almost November. We quickly realized we didn't want our engagement to last a year, but we knew it would still take time to plan a wedding! We did want that special day to exchange our vows, but the idea of focusing on colors and flowers before making practical "life" decisions together felt confusing. We decided to just go with these feelings of being ready for the marriage before the wedding. On our next day off together, we headed to the courthouse and picked up our marriage license. Our friend and officiant, Alice, came over and we signed our commitment to one another right where Drew asked me to be his wife. It has been lovely to get our affairs in order and focus mainly on navigating the world of being a unit before going back to planning the big day, but now its time to celebrate!