A completely random meeting almost 15 years ago at the age of eighteen on his birthday while crashing her party is where our story starts. An innocent introduction led to a few words exchanged not lacking a bit of attitude and sarcasm from us both of course, all led to her requesting to confirm his birth date from his driver's license. Not knowing who this random guy crashing her party was she figured this would be the best way to get him to leave after trying to lie about it being his birthday. To her surprise it really was his birthday, she was shocked he was actually telling the truth and couldn’t believe their birthdays were a day apart. Both of us were secretly attracted to each other but of course had no intention of letting the other know in that moment, so we both played it cool, wished the other a happy birthday then shared quite a few laughs that night about what had just happened. A connection between us had formed and neither of us could have known this night would end up being the first of many birthdays we would celebrate together. We can't help but laugh each year as we reminisce about that night we first met and how it sums up our personalities pretty perfectly. This night still remains one of our favorite memories because it's the one that started it all.

We held on to the connection we shared through regular phone calls, texts and visits to see each other over the past seven years. All that time knowing we each wanted to be with the other but agreed a long distance relationship was not for us. So we waited what seems today like forever but finally the time came when just a short 1.5 hour drive from St. Petersburg to Orlando was all that seperated us. We started making regular weekend trips to see each other. On this date, yes we remember exactly because it was the night UConn upset Florida in the Final Four, while watching the game in Orlando at the Amway Center rooftop bar Jason asked Nicole to be his girlfriend.

We lived together in St. Petersburg for a little over a year and now we were headed north to Winston Salem, a tiny town neither of us had heard of before, for our next adventure of life together. After packing up our home and one last trip to the beach for sunset, we said goodbye to Florida and hit the road for North Carolina. We fell in love with all the city had to offer immediately making us feel right at home. We miss the water and sunsets on the beach but the surrounding mountains and cotton candy painted sunset skies are just as beautiful for us to take in any day.

We took a trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC with our puppy, Fox. Jason had been secretly planning to propose for weeks and had a whole itinerary for the day. He was persistent that they get a nice family photo with Fox for their Christmas card so made sure Nicole didn't walk out of the house in workout clothes, her typical attire. Upon arrival at our first stop on the itinerary Jason asked a stranger, who was really the photographer he hired Nicole had no idea of, to take a photo of his family. Right before she snapped the picture he hastily ran over to our bag and grabbed the bowtie collar he packed for Fox. Nicole oblivious to what was going on was focused on how adorable Fox looked until she finally noticed Jason down on one knee. After asking if he was ok since he was a bit emotional she realized what was happening. Jason full of emotion uttered the most heartfelt words to Nicole and asked her to marry him and of course she said yes!