IT'S FINALLY HERE

We met during our first week at UMass Amherst via mutual friends at the dining hall (Chris remembers this moment, Alyssa does not...a harbinger of things to come). We became friends throughout our freshman year, taking classes together and meeting up for meals and study sessions. At the end of freshman year, one day after biology class, Chris asked Alyssa to go out to dinner in Northampton. After a few dates and right before the summer, we started officially dating. And the rest is history! We have had countless amazing memories together in the last 8 years and can't wait to see what's next.

Each year on Columbus Day Weekend, we head down to the Connecticut Shore with Chris’ family. We traveled down on Friday evening, with Alyssa thinking there was nothing out of the ordinary. On Saturday morning, Chris woke up Alyssa (most of you should know Alyssa likes to sleep in) to say that his family was already down on the beach and wanted them to come down to take a Christmas card picture (I know, I know, not so believable, but it was critical that Alyssa put on makeup. She bought it just enough.) After getting ready, Chris and Alyssa walked down to the beach, where Chris’ family was out of sight and “must be walking back from the other side of the beach.” As they sat on the bench overlooking the ocean, Chris suggested they should get up and go find his family (while texting his family “come now!!!” out of Alyssa’s view). But instead he got down on one knee and proposed. After she said yes, Alyssa turned around to see both of our immediate families running towards us. This was followed by a flurry of hugs, champagne toasts, and pictures. After this, everyone had breakfast together and spent the rest of the day relaxing at the house. Then Chris told Alyssa that they had to drive back to Boston because they had dinner reservations that night. As they were getting back, Chris and Alyssa’s friends who live close by said they wanted them to stop by for a quick champagne toast to celebrate before dinner. When they got there, the driveway and backyard were all set up with balloons and lights (shout out to our amazing friends). As Chris and Alyssa walked in, all their closest friends yelled “Surprise!!!” and were there to celebrate the engagement! It was an incredible day filled with so much love and so many surprises. We can’t wait to continue our celebration with everyone at the wedding!