(This is about the first time we hung out. - Heritage Weekend 2013) It’s a Ferris Wheel, and how magic is a Ferris Wheel, simply rotating about an axis, slowly, can somehow be fun. But it is just a Ferris Wheel. She invited me to ride with her, but I did not want to go, after all it’s just a Ferris Wheel. But as always, her persistence got the better of me, “I have a ticket,” was the last line before it was decided I would indeed be riding a Ferris Wheel, once again I thought to myself, It’s just a Ferris Wheel. We loaded into a less than trusting bucket, with a seatbelt that seemed to be from the stone ages and a large bar to close the deal. At the end of it all you feel more like a prisoner testing a machine built by some crazy scientist for some convoluted experiment, but I digress, it’s just a Ferris Wheel. As the contraption chugged and the hum of the motor driving this machine grew, so too did the smiles on our faces. But it’s just a Ferris Wheel. We rode and we laughed and had what I would say is a good time. Pictures were taken, some funny, some we looked a bit too alike, and some more because the others, “weren’t good.” But my mind still trailed, it’s just a Ferris Wheel. Then as if a slap in the face, as if to say you know better, we paused at the top. Suspended at height where everything can be seen clearly you begin to think of possibilities. Is it JUST a Ferris Wheel? I’ve ridden a Ferris Wheel many times before, but can I remember those rides? I’ve sat uncomfortably close to someone dozens of times, but have I ever wished we were closer? This wasn’t just a Ferris Wheel, but rather the possibility of a memory. A memory that would become a corner stone. If you asked her I soooo did not want to ride with her. If you asked me, it was just a Ferris Wheel. If you ask both of us; it was the start to a relationship that would grow to be much more. She continues to make me wonder; isn’t this just a Ferris Wheel?

3.18.2018 If I had to pin-point a single word to describe the day it all happened It would have to be "enchanted". It was one of those moments where everything else in the world stands still, the clouds quit rolling, and the Earth fell silent. I forgot there were other people for a split second because I couldn't believe it was actually happening. While in Ireland, we were walking through a snow covered park that felt like we were in a movie (Narnia, actually) and Noah was leading the way as his parents and I followed. Normally I would be scoping out somewhere to take pictures in such a scenic park but I was trying to focus on not slipping since I had almost fallen three times earlier that day because of the snow. We finally get to a raised stone area in the park and Noah asked if I wanted to take pictures. I was thinking "wow, Noah really loves this park" because I normally have to drag him in front of a camera for three pictures that usually turn up blurry. We posed and captured a couple cute "we're tourists taking pics in the snowy wonderland" and while I was repositioning for more pictures I turned to see NOAH DOWN ON ONE KNEE! I know what you're thinking... Elise is the most emotional person ever I'm sure she bawled the whole time. Nope, I pulled away and said "Nuuuuh this isn't real" before processing that I was about to get a fiancé and a whole life filled of my best friend! Noah Frazier is about to have a life full of adventure, travel, and a whole lot of sass. P.S. I bawled/sobbed while looking back at pictures from the proposal in the airport on my way back from Ireland because I was sooo happy and so in love!