We went to high school together, and had a few overlapping friends, but were not very close. We attended senior prom together last minute because we both still needed a date (it's so fun to have the pictures now!). After high school graduation, we did not talk for seven years. In 2017 our best man, Keith, invited a group of people from high school to have dinner together. We re-met there and were instantly smitten.

It is so meaningful to me that Ben, close friends, and family worked closely to make this day a special surprise. We had plans with friends to go to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens to look at Christmas lights on December 15th, 2019. After getting hot chocolate, Ben led me down a strange path. I repeatedly told him that there was nothing exciting that direction until he dropped down on one knee. Camera lights were flashing and people were cheering as he asked me to be his wife. We walked around with my mom and friends (who had been hiding pre-proposal), taking photos, until we eventually headed back to my apartment. When I walked in the front door I was moved to tears to see so many friends and family all in one place to celebrate and support us. Apart from marrying my best friend, nothing could have been more precious to me than the love I felt in that moment.