It's kind of a funny story and not your typical modern day "we met online" love story. I had just moved to State College about 6 months prior for my job when Ken's mom, Diane, ended up being a new patient at the practice and was scheduled with me. We hit it off right away and had A LOT to talk about. She said to me "You should meet my son!" and showed me his picture. At the end of the appointment, I gave Diane my phone number because ... why not?? I didn't have anything to lose. Ken looked me up on Instagram and about an hour after Diane left her appointment, I had a friend request from him. That same afternoon, I got a text message from Ken introducing himself. After a few days of back and forth conversation and trying to find a day to meet, he asked me to dinner. The best part about the date was that Diane had already told me SO much about Ken. This left Ken with little to say because I already felt like I knew everything about him! I initially thought the date did not go well because Ken raced out of the restaurant (not literally), but left me way behind by not waiting to walk out with me after we got up from the table. It turns out it must have gone well because he asked me out on a second date and we have been inseparable ever since!

Every year in October, Megan's family has an annual hike and pot luck on her family farm. There are hiking paths that lead up to the top of the mountain where there is a view of the entire "Valley" (Nippenose Valley). It is something that is tradition and has been going on for years. Last year when I went on the hike with Megan, I decided that because this place means so much to her (and the view is beautiful), this is where I wanted to ask her to marry me. Megan had no idea the proposal was going to happen there on that day. I was nervous and had to wear a puffy vest to hide the ring in my pocket. Jessica, Megan's sister, was in on the proposal. She told Megan that it was her year to hike while her husband, Nick, stayed behind with the kids. She took a very large backpack and Megan asked her why. Jessica said "Oh you know, snacks and water!" This seemed plausible since she was a Mom and always came prepared. So, Megan didn't think anything of it. They hiked up the mountain and when they got to the top there was crowd of family members getting their picture taken on the "Big Rock". We waited our turn until everyone had gotten their annual picture with the view in the background. We went out to the rock and Jessica pulled out her large Canon camera out of the backpack and said "I brought my good camera because it takes really good pictures!" Again, Megan didn't think anything of it! Megan and I stood at the edge of the "Big Rock" to get our picture. At that moment, I dropped to one knee and asked Megan "Will you marry me?" Of course, Megan said "YES!"