Elle and Andrew met at a non-organized pool party on a late June afternoon. Elle was visiting her friend and hanging out by the pool. Andrew, coincidentally, came to hang out with his friends as well. Within minutes, a heated game of pool volleyball ensued. Millennial's from Lansing refer to it as LA, so Andrew thought Elle was from Los Angeles, haha! As the Volleyball game got started, Andrew and Elle talked a bit and a spark was lit. As the game ended, Elle's team was the clear winner although Andrew's account of the game is much different which caused a sparing match. Andrew's friend actually had to get Elle's number for him and a couple of weeks later they went on their first date to a local watering hole, called The High Dive (home to the mystery beer machine). After a few more dates, which included a Royals baseball game with primo seats and homemade dinner, Elle learned of Andrew's love of cooking. Then, after about 5-6 dates as things were getting pretty serious, Andrew decided to go to Europe...without Elle. After 2 weeks of separation and daily phone calls, the two were inseparable. After that the rest, as they say, is history!!

In true Elle fashion, I ruined almost all of Andrew's weekend proposal plans. I had to work on the Saturday of the weekend and Andrew wanted to take me out to dinner at Q39 (which at the time I had never been to but had been DYING to try for a very long time). While I was at work on Saturday, a group of friends started a group text about going to karaoke that night. Anyone who knows me, knows I very rarely can turn down an opportunity to karaoke. Anyone who knows me really well knows I can't karaoke without a few drinks. So plans changed. We went out and we did it right. Sunday morning came and the plans for home made breakfast and dog park with Suki was still on, only a little late and with a headache. Even though there were multiple clues and signs that something was happening, I was SO oblivious. Andrew asked me if I was going to get ready/put makeup on/bringing a jacket when its 70 degrees and sunny/and him wearing jeans. ALL STRANGE!! We went on with our normal walk around the park and through the woods. When we made it back to the car, there was a note on the windshield that had my name on it. (STILL clueless and thinking I was getting stalked, cause that's a common concern?) I started reading the love letter from Andrew, smiling. Out of the corner of my eye I could see him get down on a knee. In a moment of shock, I couldn't keep reading with distraction of what was happening. I turn around and just repeated "Is this real life?" Over and over again until enough yes's came out of Andrew's mouth followed by "so, is that a yes?" and I said, YES!!! My mom, oldest sister, and niece Brooklyn were all there watching from behind a car with flowers, champagne, pop-tarts and I sign that said, "He popped the questions!" It was perfectly imperfect and just a normal day of us doing what we love to do most, which is exactly what I wanted! :)