John: Our first date was going out to a brewery and getting wood fire pizza. At first, we were both kinda quiet but the more we talked and got to know each other the more fun we had. I learned that night Caitlin was not a big beer drinker, and I would have to show her the ways of craft beer. She kept asking me “how do you know if it is good or not?” I told her the more different beers you have the more you will understand the difference in them. The more she tried the more she understood the different types. We sat and laughed and had a great time. That night I felt a connection with Caitlin that started the beginning of where we are today, and I am so happy that I met her and built a bond like no other. Caitlin: I always think of our first date as 3 different dates since I got spoiled with 3 dates in the same week. I remember how nervous I was about meeting someone through a blind date and it only took about 10 minutes to see John was too. He showed up in his fanciest firefighter t-shirt and would not stop talking and trying to impress me with how much he knew about beer (ok he did impress me). It was adorable. By the end of the night, it felt like I had known him for years. That whole week talked about family, friends and our jobs and I couldn’t believe how much we had in common. For the third date, he threw me to the wolves, and I met a handful of the guys from the fire department, but he never left my side and always made sure I was having fun. To hear all the good things, they said about John and how much they meant to him, I was hooked. I never met anyone with such a kind heart.

Caitlin: It only took me about 4 months to know John was my forever. He challenges me and supports me. He and I have the same values and beliefs and I never felt so taken care of by someone before. But if anyone who knows me knows, I fought the feeling at every turn. It wasn’t until I was gushing to my best friend that I couldn’t hide it anymore. There I was numerous drinks into drinking around the world at Epcot, crying about how I never felt like this before. Katie was like “Girl you are in love.” Of course, the world had other plans and shortly after I found out I was moving for my job. Katie and my mom knew my MO and told me I better not break up with John. I was scared we weren’t going to be able to make long-distance work, but John went out of his way to visit and call/text me every morning and night to tell me he was thinking of me. When I had second thoughts, he never did. Just made me love him more deeply knowing he would always be by my side. John: The more Caitlin and I hung out, getting to know each other and trying new fun things to do together, the more I knew this was love. She had now met my family, going out with all of us and coming over to the house for cookouts and game nights. When she told me she was moving to Maryland for work, I didn’t want to see her go. I felt like I was losing my best friend and a part of me was leaving with her. We both said we would make it work and we would see each other when we could but it still really made me feel bad when she was leaving because I had fallen in love.

John: Leading up to the proposal was stressful. Caitlin knew something was up and would not stop asking questions which I would not answer. She was having a hard time with the no information, but I was having fun with making her a little crazy. When I went to pick out the ring, I called Katie, she was so surprised. I was worried though because I was at work on the medic but by some crazy situation, I did not get a call. Finally, the ring was bought and now it felt real. Caitlin kept talking about going on an Alaska cruise and I finally said, “ok let’s go”. It was supposed to be a joint family trip, but unfortunately Caitlin’s family and friends needed to back out. Once on the ship, I surprised her with her best friend, and she began to cry. Great start to the trip! Night 2 was formal night and we all got dressed up in nice suits and dresses. On the back of the boat was a bar called Outriggers, where a cruise employee said the best sunset views were. Josh and I got ready first and told everyone to meet us there before dinner so we could get pictures and have some drinks before dinner. This was where I was going to ask Caitlin to marry me. I was so nervous, I had to have a few drinks before everyone arrived. As everyone started to arrive my mom got a professional photographer there, well if you know my mom, she loves taking pictures everywhere we go so Caitlin had no idea it was for us. After group photos, I asked Caitlin to take one with us looking at the sunset. At this moment is when I pulled the ring out of my pocket behind my back. As Caitlin started to turn around, I showed her the ring and asked her to marry me. She put her hand to her eyes, and she started to cry and said YES. I was now engaged to the love of my life and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. My nerves fell away, and a giant weight was lifted off my chest. I love you with all my heart and always will. Caitlin: As everyone knows, once I set my eyes on something I want I have little patience, starting a life with John was no different. We spoke about marriage and starting a life together, but he always said he needed more time, until around Christmas when “I need more time” turned to “Just be patient and go with the flow”. Well, that made me crazy! Disney trip…no proposal. Beach trip….no proposal….and the crazier I became. Soon we were going to be off on our Alaska cruise and I was starting to believe it was never going to happen. Looking back now, I am pretty sure I gave John a panic attack when only 3 days before the trip I injured myself and told him I didn’t think I could go. For him I sucked up the pain I was in and from the moment I landed, John was in a different mood, making sure the trip went perfectly. I should have known something was up when there we were on the boat and John was the one wanting to take all the photos. Surprise 1: John spent months planning with my best friends to have them join us on the cruise after they told me they couldn’t make it. Didn’t take long for me to start giving Katie the third degree asking if she was reeaaalllly my only surprise. She said was and to just let John ask when he was ready. Finally, I gave in and just enjoyed the trip. The second night on the boat was Formal night, John gets ready and goes to hang out with Josh while Katie and I finished getting ready. I was oblivious. Katie and I go to meet John and Josh at the back of the boat for a drink and I think nothing of all the photographers. Once I get to the back, I see the sunset and tell Katie that we needed to take photos, to my surprise, seeing John and his family already taking photos. John asked me if I wanted one with us looking at the sunset, which of course I did but thought I was going to have to force him to take one. That is when he pulls away from me, I look down, and see the ring. I didn’t even hear John ask, “will you marry me”. I kissed him and he asks again to which I then say “YES”.