A simple "Happy Birthday!" text. That was the moment our story truly began. Well, somewhat that is; mutual friends and multiple random events introduced us over the years. From Columbia, MO to Kansas City, Alyson and Dom would run into one another sporadically for close to a decade. But on February 16th, 2022, it was different. This time it was Dom's 30th Birthday, and Alyson was curious what he had been up to. The simple Happy Birthday text sparked an interest, and soon, a first date. The first date was in Kansas City, at a Mexican restaurant. Alyson's love of tacos led to the picking of the spot, thinking surely NO ONE could resist tacos. Dom gladly went along, and it started out great. That is, until Dom discovered their queso was NOT the kind he liked. It was Alyson's first moments of learning just what quite of picky eater Dom was. A few laughs, tacos, and queso blanco-less meals, the pair decided to continue the evening at Up Down; a Kansas City bar that features Video Games and giant Arcade Games....basically a paradise for Dom. The night was full of laughs, stories, and few video games played. And so began the love story of Alyson & Dom.

Dinner. Concert. Forever. Thats pretty much the story right there. For years, Alyson has followed the career of an up and coming country singer, Priscilla Block. Having seen the act in Nashville, Alyson was ecstatic to learn that she would be performing at a concert in Pittsburg, KS, just a short drive from Dom's home in Nevada, MO. As with many announced concerts, Alyson asked around to see if any friends might want to get tickets and go to the show. No immediate takers, and the thought sort of faded from mind. But it didn't from Dom's. He knew that she loved Priscilla, and went ahead and got them tickets to the show. Later, as the show was approaching, Dom began to ask some of Alyson's friends and family for help. That is, with a size of a certain finger on the left hand. While Alyson was excited to go to the show, she did not know what Dom had in store. On the day of the concert, Alyson left work in Kansas City and rushed to Nevada so that they could make it to dinner before the concert. Dom had told Alyson about dinner with some local friends Nick (Co-Best Man) and Lindsey, and Dom's Goddaughter Gemma. What she didn't know is that Dom had secretly had a few friends come down to surprise her for dinner and the concert! Earlier in the week, Sarah (Bridesmaid) had nervously gotten Alyson to go to a nail salon with her, all the time sweating that she might know that a ring was coming. Alyson did not, she was oblivious. But at dinner, Dom "went to the bathroom" to gather the roses left with the staff at the restaurant. He returned, and set them in front of Alyson. Alyson was touched by the gesture, and excited by the surprise of friends at Brick and Mortar (the restaurant). It took a second of friends telling her to turn around before she realized that Dom was behind her, with the ring and a few tears in his eyes. Usually Alyson is a little more of the waterworks of the two, but on that day, it was Dom. He asked, and she said "YES!" The entire restaurant exploded with applause and excitement. The workers even asked to take a picture and use it on their social media; and the concert was still to happen. So after dinner they went to the show, which was amazing. To cap it all off, a manager for Priscilla learned of the engagement, and announced on stage that "someone got engaged." That, and that she was going to stay after the show to meet Alyson and Dom! So to cap the evening, Alyson got to meet one of her favorite musical artists! It was an amazing day, with help from family and friends. Now we are so happy that you are going to share in our story.