We're getting married!!!

Our story isn't the traditional "love at first sight" story but traditional has never been our style. The first time we saw each other was on tinder, obviously we swiped right on each other. It was a month or so before we actually met, however we kept each other laughing and smiling over the phone till we could meet in person. What was just supposed to be a fling ended up being a love story. Of course Marissa made Chase wait MONTHS before she would admit she had feelings for him, but Chase was patient because he had already "caught feeling" for her. When we finally decided to take a chance on each other, it changed our life forever. We can't wait to share the crazy, exciting, emotional, and adventurous ride we call life, and we couldn't be more excited to share our special day with you!

Marissa and I were heading into NYC for the night to grab some drinks with my friend Saheed. My plan was to propose to her in front of the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center. I was going to have Saheed take a Polaroid picture of us kissing so she wouldn't see the ring I was holding in my hand. While watching the picture develop she would notice the ring and turn around. I would be behind her on one knee. As we waited for Saheed to arrive, I was insanely nervous. All of the sudden, we hear people clapping 15 ft from us. Someone else just proposed! Marissa turns to me and says "Its so lame when people get proposed to in the city during Christmas." Without thinking I said," What's wrong with that." I could tell she knew something was up. In a panic, I tried to act normal and play it off like I wasn't hiding something in my pocket. But she started feeling all my pockets, luckily she felt all except for the one the ring was in. Plan ruined. Luckily, Saheed showed up which helped ease the situation. We went the bar and she went off to the restroom. I told Saheed what had happened, so he helped steer the conversations away from any hint of a proposal. It didn't come up again, and we had a great night! Crisis averted. The next day, I knew had another problem. How was I going to propose now? I wanted to do it while she was with her family, but we were leaving the day after Christmas. With no friends to help me now, I had to do it on Christmas morning. So, I woke up before her like always. I grabbed the box with the ring and wrapped it and waited for everyone to get up. Once everyone opened their presents, I turned and said," Wait there is one more." I went and grabbed the box, my hands were shaking, but she knew. As she opened the box, I said," Marissa Kate Marrapodi will you marry me?" She said yes! I turned her parents who were both crying, and gave them a hug. I even got Joe, her dad to shed a tear or two. Although it wasn't my first plan, it was perfect.