We're getting married!

We first crossed paths in high school, though we barely knew each other then. He transferred in as a junior while I was a sophomore, but other than a few passes in the hallway our lives never really intersected. After PJ graduated in 2014 and I in 2015, we went our separate ways. But years later, fate had other plans and on June 30, 2018 at the Morris Plains Family Day we crossed paths again. PJ was there with the Fire Department and on a whim, I decided to go alone. After spotting him from a distance, I decided to walk over and introduce myself. We ended up sitting on the back of the firetruck, watching the fireworks together. PJ really must have been practicing this one, because at the end of the night he offered to drive me back to my car in the firetruck, which he claims to this day was the golden move.

One of our favorite memories from early on was when PJ officially asked me to be his girlfriend. After about a month of hanging out, we were spending a date night together watching a movie at my parents house. Eventually I fell asleep, and woke up to him asking me to walk him out so he could go home. I was cranky because I didn't understand why he was being so persistent on waking me up to come outside with him. But, I gave in and followed him out to his truck to say goodnight, only to find a small box with a bow sitting on the bed of his pickup truck. Inside, was a Pandora charm bracelet with charms each symbolizing something special to us from the last few weeks of knowing each other. He asked me if I would officially be his girlfriend, and after that the rest is history.

I had been planning the proposal for months, wanting to make it as special and unforgettable as possible. In the weeks leading up to the proposal, I knew I wanted to ask her on May 25th while we were in Capri, Italy. We were there on vacation after my sisters wedding in Tuscany the week before. That morning, despite both of us feeling a bit off from the previous night's dinner, I insisted we head to the chairlift that takes you to the top of the island. It has an incredible view of the whole island and the ocean, and I knew it would be a breathtaking spot to ask the big question. We got there early in the morning, and as I had planned, were the first in line when the chairlift opened. As we rode up, I was behind Maggie, nervously clutching the ring box in my bag. When we got to the top, the view was stunning, and we had the whole place to ourselves, making the moment even more special. Standing there, looking out over the entire island my heart was pounding. After attempting to say some sweet words, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. The look of surprise on her face was priceless. She had no idea what was going on, and it wasn't until she heard the reaction from another couple who had just arrived that she turned around and saw me on one knee. But the surprises didn't end there. I had one more special thing planned. Maggie had been talking about this beach club, La Fontelina, for months before our trip saying how much she wanted to go. It's one of those places you have to book far in advance, and I had secretly made a reservation for that afternoon, which was why I wanted to propose the morning of. After the proposal, I told her about it, and we quickly got ready to head over there. Seeing her so happy and knowing I had pulled off the surprise of a lifetime, was the perfect ending to an incredible day.