We can't wait to celebrate our love with you!

HIS: We were set to go to Baltimore on a service trip I was leading when Mary called out from the middle seat that she did not have a seatbelt. So there I was 20 minutes into knowing her with my head on her leg searching for her seatbelt. Over our 2 years together, we slowly became closer, uniting over being NY sports fans (the good and the bad), eating chicken wings, and sharing our distaste for idioms. Sometime during all that we started having deeper conversations than I've ever had with another person, and I knew at that point that I wanted to have her in my life forever. Flash forward 2 more years; I was finally able to take her on a date. From there on out, I haven't looked back. HERS: I arrived at my pre-orientation service trip at the Mount not knowing a single person and feeling a bit apprehensive about having chosen to go to college in the middle of nowhere Maryland. I walked into the cafe where my group was meeting and the first person I saw was a man with a beard, but more importantly, a man with a Mets hat. I breathed a little easier thinking, "Well, if there's a New York sports fan here, it can't be all that bad." I guess looking back, that was the first time Paul made somewhere feel like home. That week I learned how deeply he cared about people on the margins of society, and as we spent more time together, I was awed at how he spoke about other people in his life with such compassion. After 2 years of long walks, pistachios, and late night conversations, Paul graduated and moved to Florida, and I felt like I was losing my best friend. Another year and change passed before we met again to hike and celebrate his birthday with a few beers. It was like no time had passed, and I felt light and carefree-- all the reasons I loved Paul came flooding back. That night, the girl next to us at the brewery asked how long we had been dating. I laughed at her, but now I can thank her for speaking into existence the incredible love Paul and I now share.

HIS: We were supposed to see Christmas lights, but instead we went up to the Whites. A nice walk seemed appropriate because we love going on those, but I didn't warn Mary (she also didn't get her nails done... my fault?) So instead we found an overlook of the mountains, and I shoveled a path for us. For a brief moment, we were alone and I told her that the only thing I want for the rest of my life is to spend it with her. HERS: We had a trip booked to Lake George in February, and I convinced myself Paul would propose then. So two months earlier when I decided we should drive up to the White Mountains (he knows me well because he made me feel like it was my decision), I was completely caught off guard! It was the perfect wintery day to say yes to spending my life with my best friend.

HIS: Our walk around campus on my last night before I graduated. It led us to our favorite bench, which led us to this moment. HERS: I've got two: 1) singing "Vienna" by Billy Joel in the front seat of a truck on our way back from our service trip to Jacksonville with everyone else asleep in the back. 2) Camping together for the first time. Dating an eagle scout is intimidating, but it was so unique to finally be with Paul in his element. He was so patient and gentle with me as I learned and tried new things. We even survived a dreaded day and night of downpours that forced us to sleep in the car!