If you ask Jeff... it all began when I traded in my car so I could get lasik. I needed to find things to do that didn't involve a car. Football season was around the corner and I decided to go watch a Bills game instead of sitting at home. It just so happens there was a Bills Backers right on one of the bus routes, so I got up early to take the bus. Before the game, I promised myself I would go every week as long as the Bills were .500% or better in the standings. After the exciting overtime win, I was too lazy to walk back to the bus and asked if anybody wanted to hang out afterwards. A gorgeous, charismatic girl caught my eye and she offered to take me to the bus stop. She "accidentally" drove too slow so that I had to wait 30 minutes for the next bus, and in the meantime she got changed and walked back to meet me. After a few cold ones I offered to help Laura's friend Madison move to a new apartment, and thankfully for them, I did all the work. The rest is history! If you ask Laura... I swear I tried to get him to the bus on time- I just couldn't catch up! I was shocked that anyone wanted to get in a car with me, especially because I had just declared that my passenger airbags were broken and I needed to take my car into the dealership to get fixed. That was the first of many encounters where Jeff put his life in my hands- such a daredevil. Also- don't let Jeff kid you. He kept coming to the Bills bar after they fell under .500% because he just couldn't spend a Sunday without me.

After the blessing from Laura's mom and dad, Jeff & Laura went to her family's favorite jeweler in Rochester. No other store in the area had her preferred style, but they happily made her a custom ring with her favorite band and her favorite heirloom diamond. Once completed, Jeff hid the ring away, waiting for the perfect romantic opportunity to pop the question. Many in Laura's closest circle speculated Jeff would propose during Laura's birthday vacation to Hawai'i in May, but Jeff had other plans. Jeff knew that in early April they were participating in Laura's most sentimental charity event- the M.S. Walk. The route included a halfway point at Gasworks Park in our Fremont neighborhood, and Jeff knew this setting would provide the moment Laura would never forget. What Jeff did not know at the time was that Laura's tradition is to dress up in an orange tutu for the walk, so in order to protect the surprise (and eventually enhance the memory) he agreed to wear one in solidarity along with two of Laura's best Seattle friends Jennifer and Gina. That morning, while Laura was getting ready for the event, Jeff slipped the ring pouch into the front of his right sock and made sure to tie his sneakers very tightly. It was certainly a challenge to keep the ring safe while also keeping it concealed while also walking normally. The walk began without a hitch, and Laura & Jeff & the ring & the team all arrived at Gasworks safely. We headed over to the edge of the park near the water and began taking pictures. Eventually Jeff asked Jennifer to take a few of just us, and Jeff unexpectedly got down on one knee, to the shock (and horror) of both Laura and Jennifer who each began freaking out and swearing; Laura about whether this was for real and Jen with the sudden responsibility of capturing the moment in real-time because Jeff had not told anyone his plan in advance! Thankfully, and even though Laura blacked out and isn't sure, Jeff swears she said Yes. The rest is history!

After reading the story of how we met, it should be no secret that our love for the Buffalo Bills runs deep. Over the past few years, we've taken over the Bills Backers of Seattle club, where we get together with nearby Bills fans to watch the games every week. We've gone to games in Buffalo, Los Angeles, and Seattle. We've also visited other Bills Backers bars in New York City, Denver, Alaska, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. We threw an amazing party with former Bills players and a huge tailgate before the Monday night football game in Seattle. Our Bills wardrobe is impressive, and taking over our tiny shoebox apartment in New York. Most importantly, we've met some of the most amazing Bills fans from all over the world- many of whom have become our closest friends and will be celebrating our wedding with us. Why are we ranting about our potentially concerning love for a football team that hasn't been in a Super Bowl since Laura was 4? Good question. First- surprise! we're actually going to get married with just our family on 9/7/18, the 4 year anniversary of our fateful meeting at the Bills v. Bears game. By the time we see you, we'll already be married! Second- we reallyyyyyy want Kyle Orton to come to the wedding. On our first official date, we made a promise that WHEN we got married, Kyle Orton would be at the wedding. Here's the problem- we can't find him! So if you have any way of contacting him, please let us know! And last, but definitely not least- we're hoping that this weekend will be the 2018 Bills season opener. If we have any good karma coming our way, this will be a home game. We won't have details for a while- but keep your Sunday open to join us at the Ralph!