We're still getting married on June 20th!

Ben and Meredith met at the software company where they both began their careers after college. They shared the same desk space and, outside of exchanging pleasantries, they barely spoke to one another for the first month. Meredith would later admit to being too shy to speak up to the cute boy right behind her. Their chance to get to know one another came in the form of a new work assignment for Meredith. Their senior manager assigned Ben to help Meredith understand her new tasks at hand. Ben, having all of a few weeks experience at this point, confessed to using his charm and enough buzzwords to hopefully impress the stunning southern blonde in sudden need of his help. From that point on, their friendship blossomed into the witty back and forth, coy smiles, and laughter they still enjoy today. One notable event that stands out during this time is when they found themselves trapped in an elevator together with some other friends on Friday the 13th. Meredith admired Ben’s calm demeanor and sense of humor recalling that it pacified and entertained the group. Ben remembers how much the two of them laughed together and his less than ideal haircut in the videos and pictures of the event. From then on their friendship continued to strengthen, and they began to date in earnest 2.5 years later.

On July 4th, an unexpected conversation between Ben and Meredith assured she had no idea what was coming. Meredith, betting Ben would propose around all her family and during the fireworks, coyly asked Ben “Where are we going to watch the fireworks?”. The uncertainty in Ben’s response told Meredith there was no grand plan, and she would retain girlfriend title for the foreseeable future. She went to bed that night disappointed and a little frustrated. The next morning, she awoke in better spirits, because the two of them planned to have date night. However, after a decoy phone call, Ben was called away to work. Meredith, dejected by this news, went home that afternoon and rage-cleaned her entire closet. Ben promised he would complete “work” early enough to meet for drinks that evening. While Meredith’s tornado of cleanliness continued to swirl, Ben gathered flowers, balloons, and decorations and raced to the venue to set up. It was a quaint hotel bar with the best view of the Dallas skyline. Ben maintains he wasn’t nervous until he received Meredith’s text indicating she was on the way. He met her downstairs in the lobby of the hotel trying not to sweat through his jacket. They rode up the elevator, and Ben escorted Meredith to a secluded corner. When she saw the decorations he set up, her eyes immediately welled up with tears, and Ben dropped down on one knee. As he gazed into her eyes, the world slowed, the people around them faded, and all he could see was her. He proceeded to ask the love of his life and his ‘Dallas Blonde’ as he lovingly called her, if she would have him forever. Meredith said yes, and they kissed as the crowd went wild! After they indulged in some champagne and let their heart rates settle, they drove to Meredith parents’ house to tell them the news. Meredith had no idea Ben arranged for their closest friends and family to surprise her there. That evening marked the beginning of a new chapter in their story.