Our story begins in the spring of 2009, when Neil was a sophomore in high school and I a junior. We both happened to be in Siesta Key, FL for our spring breaks. I was with my two best friends (and matrons of honor) when we noticed some cute boys walking down the beach (Neil and two of his groomsmen). That's when the ever-confident Pat Hartnett strolled up and struck a conversation with us, prompting lunch all together at the Old Salty Dog and meeting up at the infamous Siesta beach parties at night. Neil and I, both slightly awkward 16 year olds, eyed each other nervously all week and sadly said goodbye thinking we'd never see each other again. We stayed in touch here and there with an occasional Facebook wall post (RIP) or Instagram DM. Fast forward ten years later when Neil was living in Nashville, a quick 4 hour drive from me in Indianapolis - in April 2019, I planned a trip to Music City to visit my friend Kate. Once Neil caught wind, he came home earlier than expected from a weekend out of town in order to see me that same weekend. The rest was history and after two years of long distance, Neil got down on one knee (while on vacation in Florida, of course) and made me the happiest girl on the planet!