Our story began back when we were both working at The Log Cabin restaurant. I (Emily) remember the first time I saw Jay, and my first impression was that he looked like a 15-year-old surfer boy—he had such a baby face! Little did I know, that baby face would be the one I’d fall in love with. Jay’s first impression of me was that I was beautiful, but he wasn’t sure if I was too into him. Our manager, sensing there was something between us, decided to ask us to decorate the Christmas tree together. And from that day forward, we never stopped talking. Our First Date Our first official date was at Judy’s on Cherry. I knew I was falling for Jay the moment he asked me to dinner. Not many people in my past had treated me the way Jay did—kind, thoughtful, and truly invested in getting to know me. That’s when I knew it was different. Jay and I ultimately fell in love at first sight, and from that moment, we’ve been inseparable. Milestones & Challenges There have been so many beautiful milestones in our relationship, one of which was adopting our cat, Cheetoh. We couldn’t have asked for a better little companion. He was a bit rough around the edges when we first got him, but over time, he became healthier and happier—now, he’s thriving and stealing our hearts every day. Life hasn’t always been easy, though. We’ve faced our fair share of challenges, including moving three times, job changes, and dealing with the loss of my mom in December. 2024 was a tough year, but despite everything, we managed to come out stronger than ever. We know that whatever comes our way, we can handle it together. We’ve traveled to some amazing places on the East Coast—West Ocean City, MD, and the lake house are a few spots we hold close to our hearts. But we’re not done yet! Our travel bucket list includes places like Germany, the UK, Italy, Switzerland, and we hope to visit every state in the US. The world is full of places to explore, and we can’t wait to do it all together. The Proposal Our proposal story is one we’ll never forget. Jay started the day by taking me to the Central Market in Lancaster, we then had brunch at The Pressroom, then we made a stop at a hole-in-the-wall retail store where Jay surprised me by buying me a dress and told me to wear it to dinner. We went to the Berkshire Country Club for a lovely dinner, and when we arrived, there was a bottle of champagne waiting at our table. Naturally, I started getting suspicious, asking Jay all sorts of questions, but he played it cool. We had a wonderful dinner, then went home and got into our pajamas. As I turned to look at Cheetoh, I noticed he was wearing a collar—something he never does! I was curious and looked closer at the tag, which read, “Dad has a question. Love, Cheetoh.” In that moment, everything clicked. I turned around to find Jay down on one knee, holding the most beautiful opal ring surrounded by diamonds, and he asked, “Will you make me the happiest man and marry me?” In complete shock, I blurted out, “No, no, no!” (as in, no way is this happening). But the look on Jay’s face quickly made me realize what I was saying, and I immediately corrected myself with a resounding “YES! YES, I WILL MARRY YOU!” What Makes Us Special Our relationship is something really special. Jay and I share more than just love; we’re best friends. We have a bond that’s hard to put into words, but it’s one where we just get each other. Of course, we don’t always agree—who doesn’t love a good debate now and then?—but we always have each other’s backs. Looking Ahead We’re so excited for the future ahead of us and can’t wait to start this new chapter of our lives together. Every day together feels like a new adventure, and we know this journey will be filled with love, laughter, and so many unforgettable moments. We’re so grateful for each of you being part of our story and can’t wait to celebrate our wedding day with all of you! With love, Em & JR