We first met in college when we both attended Monmouth University. But we didn't really meet in college. Rather, we first locked eyes in Salem, MA on 10/11/12 during a school sponsored weekend bus trip. Though I attribute it to destiny and true love, Amanda likes to say we first met because of chicken nuggets. Early on our bus trip, Amanda talked about how much she loved chicken nuggets with one of my roommates for the weekend. The next day, as I walked past the Olde Main Street Pub on Essex Street with said roommate and my friend Casey, Amanda and her friends were eating inside the pub. Amanda waved us in since she recognized the individual with whom she previously discussed nuggets. My group walked inside and that was the first time I saw my future wife. I thought she had a really nice smile and remember her turning red as a tomato when we looked at each other. We got to know each other as our groups stuck together for the remainder of our time in Salem. The next day our school bus trip went to Boston. As we were all checking into our hotel, my group got our room keys before Amanda's, and my roommates yanked me into the elevator before we could exchange phone numbers. The next 30 minutes went by slowly as panic filled my mind worrying that I'd never speak to that cute goofy blonde girl again. Before we were to set out and explore Boston, I decided to wait by the elevator just for the small chance that we'd run into each other again. 2 minutes into waiting and Amanda came by doing the exact same thing I was. It was meant to be! We've been in each other's contact list ever since. After the bus trip we continued to see each other on campus. I took Amanda on romantic and exotic dates like to McDonald's and a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (you know she's a keeper if she sticks around after that). It never mattered what we were doing, we just loved spending time together.

We've made many memories since college. We've traveled to Boston, Providence, D.C., Niagara, Toronto, Philadelphia, and of course back to Salem when we got engaged in the same booth of the same pub where we met. We own a house with our three fuzzy friends Dusty, Kermit, and Nibbler. And our five feathered friends who give us eggs every morning. We can't wait to get married and are looking forward to you joining us on our special day.