We're getting married!

Natalie and Jed had been working remotely on the same team since May 2017. In December 2017, they were at the Omni Resort Hotel on Amelia Island for an annual work conference. This was their first time meeting in person. Natalie walked down to the lobby to meet Jed. When she saw him, the first thing that came out of her mouth was, “Oh my gosh, you are soooo tall!” Jed laughed and said, “Well, hello to you too,” and came in for a hug!

On Saturdays, Natalie and Jed had a tradition to enjoy bagels because that's what you do in NYC! One Saturday morning Jed said to Natalie, “Wait here today, I’ll get the bagels!” Shortly after Jed left, the doorman called the apartment telling Natalie she had a package downstairs. When Natalie went to the lobby, there was a wrapped gift that said: “OPEN ME.” Inside the present were a beautiful sequin cocktail dress, earrings, a necklace, and a letter that said, “Hi darling. Please wear this dress and get ready to come away with me. I'll see you at 11am! P.S. Pack a bag for somewhere colder.” Giddy with excitement, Natalie started packing. After she was done getting dressed, she walked downstairs to the lobby to see a man in front of a limo with a sign that read, "NATALIE." Natalie walked over to the man and he opened the door for her. Nobody was inside. The man said that Jed sent him and unfortunately this was a big surprise so he couldn't tell me where they were going. It was a long ride (an hour of traffic) so Natalie took a little nap. When Natalie opened her eyes the limo was pulling onto the tarmac and she could see Jed standing at the bottom near the stairs of a private jet. Jed came to open the door for Natalie. "Jed! This is crazy, is that a private jet? What's happening?" Natalie exclaimed. Jed just giggled (which later Natalie found out was because he was really nervous). Jed walked Natalie over to the jet and before they got on, he knelt down on one knee and confessed, "Natalie, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you so so so so so much. Will you marry me?" Natalie exclaimed, "Of course!" and they both burst into tears. Afterward, they boarded the jet and Cooper (their dog) ran to greet them! Once the jet took off, Natalie turned around in her seat and asked Jed, "Hey babe, where's my bagel?" Jed didn't have any bagels but he did have two bottles of champagne, cheers!

Natalie's family was forced to leave their family home in Vietnam for the hope of survival after the Vietnam War in 1975. Her family immigrated to America bringing only what they could carry on their backs. Knowing that her family's heirlooms are forever lost in Vietnam, Natalie wanted to create a special memory and an heirloom that could be passed on through generations. She wanted to establish her family's story and history in America. Natalie, her sister, her mother, and her grandmother spent hours at the jewelry store. Natalie's grandmother pulled out all the stops to try and get the best price with the shop owner (something she was very good at in Vietnam). One of the funnier comments she made were, "I'm just a poor old lady who is trying to buy a ring for my granddaughter" lol. After many hours of deliberation - the three generation of women agreed on the setting, the diamond, and the price. Together, they created the ring Natalie wears today. When Jed wanted to marry Natalie, he had to go through Natalie's parents to obtain the newfound family heirloom.

For a short while, Natalie and Jed endured a long-distance relationship. One day, Natalie created a collaborative playlist where they could each add songs. They would add songs throughout the days and weeks with hidden messages to each other - one of the messages was, "I love you." You can find their playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7t7VtZMZX6SOLEK1lhaQcq?si=aJq9bmX1Ss-KuxVagfowyw