We said yes!

Meredith: In early October of 2018, Tinder brought us together. I was beginning my senior year at Emmanuel, and Katie had just started grad school at Simmons. We decided to meet for our first date at Yard House, right next to Fenway Park. Apparently, we were both a ball of nerves because we each thought the date was going horribly! In reality, I couldn't stop thinking about how Katie was WAY too cool for me. At the end of the date, Katie asked if she could see me again and I practically shouted yes. I was so surprised that she wanted to go on another date! We hugged and went on our separate ways. On our second date, we talked for six hours and have been inseparable ever since. Katie: I arrived at our first date with my bright red school bag, a yellow cardigan, and a dream! I had sent numerous photos to my closest friends of this girl who I "just had a good feeling about." Fenway was busy, Yard House was dark, and I was horrified to learn that Meredith had decided to attend optometry school. Conversation was flowing, and we seemed compatible, but I got it into my head that she DESPISED me, and was plotting her escape of the date. All of this in mind, I made a whole "pros and cons" list in my head. Pros: gorgeous, brilliant, kind, driven, hilarious. Cons: eyes are gross, she ordered a drink I didn't like, seems WAY TOO COOL FOR ME. I am happy beyond words that I bucked up, trusted my gut, and took this incomparable gal on another date (and many more since)!

Meredith: Katie and I have a mutual love of podcasts, our favorite being And That's Why We Drink (a true crime and paranormal podcast, with two hilarious cohosts). On the first day of Pride Month 2022, we were able to go to a book signing/meet and greet with Em and Christine, the hosts of the show! When we met Em and Christine, we chatted a bit and then I asked for their blessing to marry Katie. Next thing I knew I was down on one knee asking for Katie to marry me! It was an absolutely perfect moment, even though I may have left the ring at home... A few days later we went to Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea and I proposed at sunset, WITH the ring this time! On the way home, a rainbow appeared! I am CONVINCED that rainbow was sent down to celebrate our love.

Katie: Imagine my horror when I had been planning to propose to Meredith for MONTHS, agonizing over every detail (sure I would be the first) only to have her beat me to the punch not once - but twice! Beautiful ring and fiancée aside, I couldn't stand to be one-upped like this! Fast forward to June 24, the day before Meredith's golden birthday, I concocted an elaborate plan to take her to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, home to two flamingo love birds (one of Mer's favorite animals). I brought my mom, dad, Erik, and Grammie, dressed up in my favorite outfit, and hoped with all hope that the annoying tourists parked in the gazebo would MOVE! Didn't they understand that I was trying to secure a doctor!?!?!? I gave up on that location, and wildly signaled to my family members that we would be moving to the bridge. To be completely transparent, I blacked out my proposal speech from nerves, but it seemed to be okay because SHE SAID YES! Meredith knew the WHOLE time that something was up. Her nails were painted white for this Key West trip, I was being highly protective of my bags, and Erik is TERRIFIED of butterflies! Sneakiness is not a talent I possess, but I wouldn't change one detail of our wacky, wonderful, triple proposal!