We both happened to come into Jacksonville Beach a couple days early to partake in our mutual friend’s pre wedding festivities. The first night (Wednesday) we joined the bride, groom and brides twin sister for a few drinks at a local watering hole ‘Shim Sham’ (RIP). We locked into conversation like no one else was there! Just enjoying each other’s company. The night ended with pictures in front of the bar’s taxidermized bear (IYKYK). The shenanigans continued Thursday at the welcome dinner after party where I literally fell (off a stool) for Stephen. He says that’s when he knew he loved me, too. Friday at the wedding Stephen asked me to save him a dance. Before I knew it the DJ was announcing the last slow dance of the night, so I went up to Stephen and asked him if he was actually going to dance with me. He did. We spent Saturday on the beach with some of the other wedding guests. That night my friends and I had planned to have dinner to celebrate my 30th birthday early. Stephen being the gentleman that he is picked me up and drove us the two blocks to the restaurant. My birthday started with my flight being cancelled. Stephen came to my rescue helping me book a new flight and getting me to the airport. Along the way he asked me for my address. I was unsure of why he was asking, so I left out my apartment number. The next day after I arrived home, I get a call from a florist attempting to deliver me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers, because they didn’t have my apartment number. Two weeks later Stephen came to Texas for a visit and the rest is history…

Maddy and I drove down to Peachtree City, Georgia to spend Thanksgiving Day with my family and a couple family friends from the neighborhood. The plan was in the works, and the entire family was in on it. Everyone knew what was going to happen except for Maddy (I think). It was a bittersweet day as we had heard some unfortunate family news the day before but everyone knew there would be good news to celebrate later. My parents made an incredible Thanksgiving dinner and we were all stuffed! In typical Romanow fashion after dinner we would normally take a short walk around the neighborhood. Knowing the family was in on the plan I turned to Maddy and asked "Would you like to go on a walk?". And to my dismay Maddy flat out says "Nope!" At this point I am a little concerned as everyone knew what I was trying to do, but Maddy was not feeling the walk at all. After a little (maybe a lot) of persuading Maddy agreed to go on a small walk. Maddy and I left the house and the plan was put in motion! My sister Larissa took the golfcart a short time after we left to get into position to take pictures all while trying to stay hidden from our view. Walking around the neighborhood I knew of a particular spot on the golf course that always had incredible sunsets and thought that would be "The Spot". I worked this out with Larissa beforehand, and she knew exactly where to go and how to get the perfect shot. Walking over to the golf course with Maddy I was lost in her beauty and honestly, I dont remember what we talked about or if I was even forming complete sentences but when we turned the corner to head onto the course I knew one thing. I wanted to marry this woman. We walked out onto the fairway hand in hand and I turned towards Maddy, looked her in the eye and asked if she would make me the happiest man in the world and marry me. Maddy said "YES!!!" We both were elated, and to our surprise there were a couple of other walkers that saw the big moment. They were clapping for us and then out of the corner of our eyes we saw Larissa coming up with the golfcart and she was hiding in the sand trap taking amazing photos of us. Needless to say we did not finish the walk around the block and Larissa drove us home and as soon as Maddy and I walked in the door my parents had champagne waiting for us! We celebrated and hugged and made all the phone calls back to loved ones. It was a day I will never forget and I am so excited to marry Maddy and call her my wife!