I've always been both competitive and nerdy. So when my sorority instituted a study hours competition in the spring of 2010, obviously I knew that I had to try to win! There was a Starbucks gift card at stake to help fuel my caffeine addiction and late night study sessions! In order to win, all you had to do was have the most library hours logged in the official Phi Mu study binder that was stored at the front desk by the end of the semester. So easy, I thought to myself. I already practically lived in the library! Well, there just so happened to be this cute guy who worked at the front desk while he was attending graduate school. Throughout the semester, it seemed like every time I stopped at the desk for the binder, it took me longer and longer to actually get around to studying. I would stand there chatting and eventually have to drag myself away to go and get to work. As the semester came to an end, we continued to talk throughout the summer. After many hours on gchat from our offices on opposite sides of DC, we decided to meet up for a cup of grog at the Piratz Tavern in Silver Spring, where Pat had recently moved. We arrived to find out that they were not open on Mondays, and we ended up down the street at McGinty’s. This local spot would eventually become a frequent haunt and the home to our Monday night trivia outings, another perfect place for my competitive, nerdy side. And here we are, eight years later. We share a home, two silly kitties, and an excitement for all of the adventures that await us in the future. While I may not have won the study hours competition that semester, I think I won something better.

We had been together for years when I bought the ring. I kept it for weeks waiting for the right opportunity; one day Lindsey suggested we go out for dinner and a show at the new DC Waterfront District. The restaurant and the show were things I knew she was really excited for, so I knew this was my chance. I arrived early and checked the place out. I couldn't have asked for anything better, there was a brand new pier with fire pits, and a beautiful sunset view over the river. The weather was perfect, warm but not stifling, sunny but not overbearing. It was lucky that Lindsey arrived early for dinner too, because we got a chance to check out the area while the sun was still setting. I slipped the ring into my jacket pocket, but I slung my jacket over my shoulder; it had gotten pretty warm out for a November evening. I mentioned that the view out over the pier looked amazing, and she asked if I wanted to take a walk down it. It was a good thing she asked, or else I would have had to, and then she might have suspected something. As we walked down the pier I couldn't help but focus on keeping my jacket still. There were slits in the wooden pier and I was nervous I might drop it... When we got to the end of the pier we weren't alone. A few other groups of people were already down there sitting, chatting, looking, taking pictures. We saw a group of ladies taking pictures of each other and I suggested that we offer to "trade off" taking pictures of each other. We took their picture and then started setting our things down on seats. At this point I was shaking and my hands were sweaty. I didn't know how I was going to get the ring out of my jacket pocket without Lindsey noticing. Fortunately for me she turned around to adjust something and I got it. As she turned around ready for the picture and our kind (but unsuspecting!) helpers prepared to take our picture I got down on one knee and opened the box I was holding. And I asked. And she said yes.