We're getting married!

J: Hilary was interviewing at Brasfield & Gorrie where I was a current employee. One of my friends told me I had to come up and see "the future Mrs. Stern"...when I snuck up to the front of the office and peeked through the window I knew my friend was right. Once I got to know Hilary, her sweet tooth was apparent. I used to keep my office stocked with KitKats just so she would stop by more often. We were friends for over a year before I got a clever idea that would "trick" Hilary into our first date. H: Jacob and I quickly became best friends when I started working at Brasfield & Gorrie 4-1/2 years ago! We would hang out almost every weekend. During one of our many talks Jacob challenged me to a sugar-free diet challenge, winner gets treated to a nice dinner at my favorite restaurant... Prato. Naturally I won, cue our first of many dates :)

H: Anyone who knows me knows that historic preservation is one of my passions. Jacob told me we were going to tour a historic house in Winter Park, he said he found out his family friend worked there and offered us a tour! Unsuspecting I happily accepted, I finally got to show Jacob the inside of the beautiful Capen House that we would always drive by on Aloma (and I would talk non-stop about!). When we got to the Capen house, our tour guide explained she was having internet problems and offered for us to walk the grounds while she continued her call to the internet company. We opened the back doors of the Capen house and walked out to a stunning view of Lake Osceola. We wandered down the brick path and through the gardens of the Polasek Museum next door. Right in the middle of the garden path Jacob got on his knee and asked me to marry him! Then we turned around to his cousin hiding in the bushes snapping shots... !! When we finished taking pictures we went to Prato to a dinner planned by Jacob with both of our families. He had planned everything to a tee :) J: I knew I couldn't be too obvious with any of the details otherwise Hilary would spot the red flags. I had a friend take Hilary to get her nails done a week before I popped the question, I got her boss involved and he helped me by scheduling an "important meeting" so she would dress up, the people at the Capen House were involved in my plan, my cousin was hiding in the bushes with his camera, and I asked on a Monday - because who would suspect that? I told her we were going to dinner with friends, but that I wanted to stop by the Capen house first because a family friend worked there and wanted us to see it. I was very nervous, but tried to keep it cool as we walked to the exact spot I had picked to ask the big question. After I popped the question, we did go to dinner, but instead of friends I had secretly planned both of our families to meet us there to celebrate!