We originally met each other through Florida State University and its wonderful Greek Life Community. After graduating from FSU in 2012, we each went our separate ways and both eventually ended up heading out of state – Dan for work and Kiah for Graduate School. Dan was able to return to Florida with work in 2017 and Kiah in 2018 after graduation. We both landed in our respective hometowns, Orlando for Dan and Jacksonville for Kiah. On a Sunday evening in the Summer of 2018, one particular picture caught Dan’s eye while scrolling through Instagram, and, thanks to having had some liquid courage prior to scrolling, Dan “slid into Kiah’s DM’s.” A tale as old as time. After a few weeks of messaging and then facetiming, Dan managed to convince his boss he needed to be at a sales call north of Jacksonville at 9:30 in the morning the Friday before Labor Day Weekend. Following that meeting was a late morning brunch date at Maple Street Biscuit Co in the San Marco area of Jacksonville. From that point forward the two of us were as inseparable as can be for starting a relationship long distance.

Dan is good at surprises around big life events. We managed to pack a few in during the Summer of 2020. On Friday, June 12th, we closed on our first house together with Kiah’s 30th birthday less than two weeks away on Sunday, June 21st. Unbeknownst to Kiah, Dan had quite the 30th birthday surprise in store. Leading up to it, Dan told Kiah to expect a birthday dinner on Saturday, June 20th at a surprise location and to be driven to and from work. That evening, Dan picked Kiah up from work in Hendersonville, TN (just outside of Nashville) with a chauffeur. From there it was to the new house where a bottle of champagne, loving card, a dozen red roses and one pink rose were set to greet Kiah. After a champagne toast to christen the new house and a dance in the middle of the new kitchen, it was off to the next stop, pink rose in tow. The chauffer pulled up to the Pedestrian Bridge and up the elevator we went. We stepped out and were greeted by the great view of our new city, the place we moved to so we could physically be together for the first time in our relationship, and Dan said he’d like to get a picture for the evening at one of the lookout areas. It was there, with the Nashville skyline behind us, and, from behind Kiah where she couldn’t see, both of our families and Kiah’s closest friends watching, that Dan proposed. It was a fantastic birthday surprise and a beautiful moment surrounded by our loved ones.

We're so excited to be able to enjoy time together as husband and wife. We'll be heading to Jamaica for a week leaving the Monday after our wedding!