WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

On a night in late December, not quite Christmas, David ventured out to celebrate a friend’s graduation from the DC Police Academy. If you have ever frequented Arlington, VA and enjoy the finer things in life, then you will know the establishment: Clarendon Grill (RIP). Upon arriving and finding his group of friends, David noticed two lonely rum and cokes sitting on a bar top. He inquired to whom those drinks belonged and it was explained they belonged to “the girls” who would be right back. As David stood keeping a watchful eye over the drinks, he saw a brilliant flash of blonde hair. When he came to, there stood in front of him was Jillian and her roommate. After a bit of conversation, the live band (let’s call it White Ford Bronco – trust the couple, this is the name of the band) began playing a song that has stood the test of time: “I want you back” by N’SYNC. Not quite certain how to dance to such a powerful ballad, David asked Jillian to dance and the rest is history. A part of this story some people don’t know is David asked Jillian on a second date before they had even gone on their first. When you have an extra ticket to a Thievery Corporation concert, rules apparently don’t apply. For the record, she said yes to the second date without hesitation.

The goal was to find a place in D.C. where the couple had not yet created any memories. After being together for three years in Washington D.C. and having countless dates out, looking for this location was tricky. Even so, deep in Northeast D.C. exists a hidden gem; a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. David had seen a picture with beautiful Corinthian Columns that shot up into the air seemingly out of nowhere surrounded by a forest. Where was this place? Much like the National Zoo, it makes one ask, “how can that exist in D.C.?” You may have already figured it out; the place David found was the National Arboretum. On their third anniversary, after laying wreaths at the Arlington Cemetery, David proposed the two go and check out the Arboretum. In the dead of winter, yes, that’s bizarre. The idea was to get Jillian to the columns and propose. “Simple enough,” he thought. All of this was working perfectly and as he was about to pop the question, a woman and her dog emerged from the shadows, the only other person in the entire park. The dog proceeded to use this beautiful moment to handle his own “business” and the moment was ruined. Not sure where to go as neither had been to the Arboretum before, David suggested they walk through the Asian garden. There, nestled along the banks of the Anacostia River, he asked and she said yes.