Joe and Liz worked in the same building for six months, but never laid eyes on each other. Joe was an 8th grade history teacher on one side of the building; Liz was a speech intern on the other side. After the internship ended, Liz continued to have a good friendship with her clinical supervisor and other colleagues. A year and a half after leaving, Jill and Megan decided to play matchmaker. Thankfully the timing was right, and after a blind date at the Citizen, the rest was history.

Liz and Joe's second anniversary was coming up, but their lives were a little bit crazy. It was the end of the school year for both of them and Liz had just been offered a new job. They had a family wedding to attend on Saturday and a retirement party on Friday so they planned an anniversary dinner that Thursday. That day happened to also be the day that Liz told her close friends at work that she had accepted a new job and would not be returning at the start of the next school year. Being very happy where she was working and loving her co-workers, this was difficult for her. So difficult that she went home crying and tried to cancel date night multiple times. Thankfully, Joe was comforting and... persistent. Joe had planned his outfit for the night to inconspicuously hide the ring in his “infamous” cargo pocket, but Liz suggested he wear the new golf shorts that she bought him. Nervous and sweating, Joe changed his outfit and they went on their way to the Citizen, the place where they first met. When they arrived, the place was packed. Both previous times at the Citizen it had been quiet, but not that night. Joe had hoped if he waited it out for a little while, the place would clear out… but that didn’t happen. Before the meals came, Joe walked to the bathroom and repositioned the ring (and probably gave himself a pep talk in the mirror). When Joe returned, he began joking about a poem he wrote. He then began to recite it… “I love you so much. You’re the love of my life. Will you marry me?” Of course she said YES! It was so emotional as Joe talked about the significance of the ring and how the diamonds came from his Meme’s wedding ring. Both were so beyond excited that dinner was no longer important. Facetiming with family to share the great news was the first thing to happen. A quick text was sent to Michele trying to be secretive, but when they arrived at her house she already had the champagne chilled and ready to pop! It was such a beautiful night!