Ben and I both started going to Smithtown Christian School in 5th grade. We didn't cross paths much until Ben's sophomore year and my junior year when we joined the same missions team. He was also in my trigonometry class (because he was advanced placement and a lot smarter than I am....). He started tutoring me and I swear, I actually needed the help with math, it wasn't just a ploy to get to know him. We quickly became friends and a few months later, on November 5th 2013, he asked me to be his girlfriend after his soccer team won the big championship game. I knew I loved Ben when I was 17 years old and I've loved him ever since.
I’m pretty sure I wanted to propose as early as high school graduation! At that point I knew Mel was the one and would always be the one. However, as a 17-year-old, money and maturity were a bit scarce. And so, after 4 long years of saving every penny and planning the perfect moment – and thanks to a long list of friends and family devoted to secrecy and deception – I successfully surprised her at one of our favorite spots on Long Island. It was when she least expected it, surrounded by our closest friends and family, and thankfully – she said yes! Melissa and I are finally getting married! It’s about damon time, am I right?! See you in New York!