Picture it, Sicily, 1937…Whoops Picture it, Charlotte, 2015… Coming off of the afterglow of my trip to Dallas, I was staring down the barrel of my favorite holiday’s approach. I was filled w/ excitement & delight, after months of careful planning for my costume & armed w/ foam glow sticks from my cousin’s wedding the weekend prior. Friday was finally upon us & I burst into my dear friend Sarah Black’s annual Halloween bash. I was Left Shark come to life, mixed with the energy of an EDM show. Glows stick held aloft, shaking my fins, I was a presence to behold, making my way into the back yard filled w/ our friends. As the night progressed I noticed a handsome chap across the driveway in a Blackhawks 2015 Champions shirt. Having never met this man in the years w/ our circle of friends I could only call him Champ, as I didn’t have his name, Strangely, no one felt the need to inform either of us on the others name, thinking we already knew one another. Josh, being a man of few words, little other than casual words were exchanged & the moment passed. The Halloween celebrations continued at the timeless haunt the Flying Saucer. While standing out on the terrace, Josh joined the conversation & we spoke for the rest of the night. As the evening was ending Josh asked if I would like to watch the Panthers’ game w/ him that Sunday. I had plans but told him he was welcome to join us at my house to watch w/ us. He showed up w/ white baby roses, we watched the game as our Panthers made their Super bowl run. We continue to talk & planned our first official date to Lang Vang. As the months & UN Dating Summit (Dad’s {Bob} term for when you’re “dating” but not “officially dating” yet) continued we fell into an easy & natural step within one another’s lives. Then, on December 5, during our first trip we “officially” made it official and started dating. As in the age of social media Facebook status were changed, & “about time” jokes were had.

The day I proposed to Jess was the longest day of my life w/the quickest moment ever. The anticipation had been building for weeks w/her ring in my possession, I hoped she never needed anything from the safe. With some help a plan was in place to give Jess what I hoped to be the surprise of her life. Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens was THE spot, we had gone to the Chinese Lantern Festival & Jess couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful it all was. The location & date set, June 15th would be the day I got to ask the love of my life to marry me. While our trip to DSBG & lunch plans w/Josh & Mer loomed, I was bouncing off of the walls trying to make sure we were on time & everything was in place. WELL, none of that happened, Jess slow to start, while Mer sent texts on what to wear for the “photo project” they needed to do. I’ll never forget her asking to go back in the house for a water as I had just locked the door w/Mer & Josh at the restaurant waiting. Still to this day, I have no idea how Jess didn’t see the ring box in my pocket. After lunch, we arrived at DSBG for a day of flowers, art & photos. “Surprisingly” my “sister” Lacey & her husband Matt met us there on a whim, while on a weekend getaway. I’d say at this point in time, it could’ve been a little more than obvious about the day’s events, but Jess claims she still had no clue. While wondering the gardens, nothing seemed right until we come upon the reflecting pool. I took her hand, dropped to a knee & told her how much I loved her. It’s now, I think she finally knew what was going on. I managed to mumble some words asking her to marry me, & she squeaked out a YES. From there, we took an ungodly amount of photos & headed to Webb Custom Kitchen, where we met up w/Tony to continue the celebrations w/our favorite food & people. What was one of the most stressful beginnings to a day turned out perfectly.

When life gives you a pandemic, plan… plan and replan a wedding – English proverb (Maybe) Replan seven times, party for eight days – Japanese Proverbs (could be) Plan a thousand times and have a ceremony once – Turkish Proverb (sorta) In a battle of travel restrictions, the wedding/vacations get squashed – Thai Proverb (kinda) The actual proverbs: Fall seven times, stand up eight. | Japanese Proverb Measure a thousand times and cut once. | Turkish Proverb In a battle between elephants, the ants get squashed. | Thai Proverb