We're so excited to celebrate with you!

Joe and I were both in our first year of graduate programs at Creighton University when one day Joe asked me out for a brunch date at Early Bird in the historic Blackstone District of Omaha (supposedly where the Reuben sandwich was born; for which one of Joe's classmates assured us many times her uncle was the inventor). It was a frosty Nebraska January morning, but the sun was beaming as bright as my smile. We greeted each other outside the restaurant and that awkward first date moment happened where we did not know what to do, but embraced in a hug before heading in (I learned later though that Joe had already been there for half an hour because he was so nervous and wanted to make sure we got a table). We sat down and as the coffee steamed in front of our faces we talked about anything and everything. It felt comfortable and easy as the conversation flowed, learning about each others past, present, and futures. As with any good time, the time flew and I had to leave for an open house at my school. It was bittersweet that our first date had to come to an end, but we could not wait for many more to come.

On our two year anniversary, we returned to where it all began, where we had our first date. So much had changed, but still so much was the same. The ease in conversation, the snow settling outside, and the wisps of steam lazily rising from my coffee all culminated to me staring at this man unable to take the smile off my face. It was a sweet moment in time as we reflected on the past two years. We had made it through the pandemic, I had graduated, and Joe was about to graduate, but everything seemed to melt way so we could enjoy another frosty Nebraska morning together. Our trip down memory lane did not end here though as Joe told me we were going to the Jocelyn Art Museum, where we had had our second date. I giggled and reminded Joe that our first date there had not been as perfect as he would tell you. Joe had picked me up nearly an hour late to that date, but he did make it up to me by bringing a beautiful bouquet of flowers; turns out Joe had spent that hour looking for them because despite living in Omaha for a few months at that point, Joe, coming from Las Vegas, still did not get that some stores closed during weekends. As his face turned red while I retold that story, Joe and I made our way to the Jocelyn. The interior of the Jocelyn was elegant and art of all variety accented its art deco structure perfectly, a sight that filled us with joy as we walked its halls. We reminisced on our previous dates there and lost ourselves as we enjoyed each others company. As dreamy as it was, I noticed the time had been slipping by and we had seen all that there was to be seen; however, Joe kept insisting that we stay and walk around some more. A little annoyed and a little too warm as I was dressed for winter, I wanted to leave, but indulged Joe's request for a little more time. Eventually we found ourselves in the atrium of the museum and Joe started reaching into his jacket. Joe pulled something out and held it in his hand, but I could not see what it was. As he started getting down on one knee though, I knew what was coming and I could not contain my excitement; Joe on the other hand could not let it out. As he looked into my eyes, I could see every word trying to come out at once, each forcing its way to the front. Those sweet words may not have left his lips but the most important ones did, "Morgan, will you marry me?" I could not say yes fast enough as he slid the ring onto my finger, and still to this day I cannot express in words the pure joy and happiness I felt. After the initial excitement subsided and I was able to contain myself, I noticed Joe's roommate, Joey, behind a pillar, taking pictures of this moment so that we could revisit it whenever we wanted. Joe later told me we had kept wandering the halls of the Jocelyn because he gave Joey a specific time to arrive, but I could not help but laugh as Joe had mistook his times again, bringing me back to our second date and the beginning of our relationship. So much had changed but still so little had changed, and while things will continue to change as we build our life together, I know the love and care Joe and I share will never change.