There was something in the summer air that made it all too easy to fall in love. Join us on the same waters where our love story began.

After nearly a decade of summers spent in Point Pleasant we never crossed paths until one Thursday night 2016. Working a waitressing gig on the boardwalk, I went to a local's bar after my shift with co-workers. Not arriving til midnight, it was never strange for us to close down the bar or hang after hours. Come 1AM this crew of fishermen roll in from a night trip and my now bridesmaid and I become intrigued. Quickly joining in on the camaraderie, before we knew it it is was sunrise. That summer was spent working late night shifts, partying on a boat and impromptu ocean swims. We were young, wild and free. Looking back I feel like it was a summer out of a movie...making our love story my favorite.

It was January 6, a cold winter night and I had planned a surprise "30th Birthday Party" for Bethany. Little did she know it was going to be a night we would never forget. After a meltdown of her nails not coming out right and running out of time to get ready, we left the house and grabbed a cocktail. As I dealt with friends and family arriving in town and asking "where is the restaurant?!", I also had to try to hide the fact that my nerves were shot and act like nothing was going on - I deserved an Oscar. I finally get the "ready" text from key players in my master plan and that all was ready for our arrival. We get to the restaurant and walk in to the cries of "SURPRISE!" They were almost as loud as Bethany's cries of excitement. As we get settled for dinner I pull my best friend outside to deliver the "package" and give him instructions of my plan to propose. He agrees and we walk back inside. After a fantastic dinner we play the "Birthday Game". A game one of Bethany's childhood best friends taught me. Going around the table everyone says a word about the birthday girl and describes why they chose it. Strategically, I went last. As everyone around the table says their chosen words I start getting nervous. I begin drinking my adult beverage faster, getting the jitters and then excitement takes over. Finally my turn. I stand up, grab my future wife's hand and stare into her eyes. I choke a little and get my word out "Best friend" and then follow it up "Wife". When I say "wife", my best man Jimmy, throws a perfect pass across the table as I swoop and catch the box with the ring and fall to one knee. After the "dying whale" cries and other strange sounds of hysterics from Bethany, I finally got my YES!!!