Jacob and I met in 2017 during our second semester of sophomore year at Christopher Newport University. It was not love at first sight and we became good friends over the semester but the more we hung out, the more it progressed in both our minds to something else. That fall when we returned to school we decided to start seeing where things would go and quickly decided to start dating. We have not looked back since.

Living with Marissa during a pandemic, I didn't have much time alone - where I went, she went. Of course, this wasn't a bad thing...until I started trying to plan a surprise engagement. Luckily, Gretchen Raiti, Marissa's mother, was there to help. After multiple secret phone calls in a basement with terrible service, we concocted the perfect plan. The bluebells bloom in the spring here in Virginia, making it the perfect time to pop the question. I would arrive to the park before Marissa and Gretchen and hide somewhere among the flowery bushes to come out and surprise her - simple enough. As we waited for them to arrive, me, my family, and Marissa's friends, Alexa and Lauren (see the Wedding Party tab) hid on a steep embankment on the edge of the Potomac River. Marissa, a true crime fanatic, was her usual suspicious self, so Alexa and Lauren tried their best to text her normally to not arouse her suspicions further. Meanwhile, as I clung to a tree trying to avoid an ill-timed swim, I looked down at my feet and noticed a dead crawfish. It has no impact on this story but it was still something worth noting. Finally, Marissa, Gretchen, and Moose arrive to the spot where it would happen. I walk out from behind the bushes and Moose jumps at me in excitement (I will say I think he was more excited than Marissa) and throws dirt all over me. I get down on one knee, still trying not to roll down the hill into the river, and propose. It took some convincing but she eventually said yes. And here we are.

We woke up that Saturday morning both with separate plans - Jacob said he was going hiking with his dad and my mom and I were going to look at the bluebells with Moose. My mom called and said we should take photos there so I would dress nice. This was a little weird but I got ready and kept this in my mind coupled with the fact that my now step mom had just taken to get my nails done a few days prior. At this point, Jacob had already left and was on his way to get his dad to go hiking. I texted my maids of honor letting them know I was suspicious and this was met with OMG and Lauren sending a picture of her cat Gemini. My mom came and got me, we grabbed our Starbucks, and headed to the park. When we got there I was taking my time looking around and just relaxing; then we headed down the path. At every single branch off, my mom asked me to stop for a photo with Moose. At this point, I am beyond suspicious because who needs this many photos of me and Moose? Finally, on the third (maybe fourth) branch off, we go down to get a photo and Moose starts to lose his mind. Now there are two options in my mind: we’re about to get mauled by a bear or Jacob is about to jump out and propose. To my disappointment, it was the latter (just kidding). Jacob came walking out dressed all nice and Moose (out of excitement) jumps towards him throwing dirt all over. Jacob then got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. At the same time, his family is coming out from where he was hiding accompanied by my two maids of honor. It was the easiest yes of my life. (The photo of Gemini initially mentioned was to throw me off any suspicion that Lauren and Alexa may be there. This had not even crossed my mind at the time but I appreciated the effort)