They met at a local youth group. Steve was the goofy, annoying, red head and Maddie was the tall, lanky chatter-box. Their competitive nature fueled their friendship. They could always count on one another to make the game and life more interesting. If you asked either of their younger selves if they thought this day would happen, they would have laughed and said you've got to be kidding me, her? him? NEVER. Even their closest friends used to joke and say they would never work even if they were the last two people alive. But, fate always has a plan. Years passed and Steve went away to college. Then one night, out of a whim, they hung out - playing video games and catching up. As Steve took Maddie home that night a song came over the radio, "Simple Thing." Steve started to sing and Maddie just smiled and listened. Little did either of them know, that night was the start of it all. Even though they never told one another, they secretly had a little bit of a crush. However, timing was never right; so Steve continued to be the goofy, annoying red-head that could sing and Maddie stayed the tall, lanky, chatter-box who plays video games.

Years passed and Maddie graduated college. Knowing that she was returning back to her home town she decided to reach out to some old friends. One being Steve to celebrate his birthday. They went to a local favorite, Miller's Ale House. As they sat down, the waitress, a friend of Steve's, asked if he was on a date. With a smile and laugh he said, "No, just celebrating." As they started to look at the menu, Steve asked Maddie if she would like an app. "I would, but you won't like what I want." Curious, Steve asked what she wanted and Maddie responded with calamari. To her surprise, Steve loved calamari. They ate and talked catching up on the past 4 years like nothing had changed. However, timing was now on their side. Secretly, not wanting the lunch to end, Maddie wanted to be adventurous. Steve had an idea, and drove around the back roads of Pennsylvania to the Willow Grove Mall. Not recognizing where they were going and Steve pretending he was lost, they blasted the radio, singing, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles. Well, music has a way of making things happen and Steve reached over to hold hands, which Maddie gladly accepted. But...nothing came from that day until a few months later. Maddie was nervous, she didn't want to risk losing a life-long friend. However, one night, at a bar, this man was so upset and confused as to why Steve wasn't dating Maddie. Asking questions left and right and giving all this advice. Eventually, the man left with his wife of 37 years and Maddie lost it. She started crying in the middle of a BAR! Steve asked her what was wrong and finally she told him, "I like you." He responded, saying that they would talk later. PERFECT! Friendship of 8 years, over. As Steve pulled up into Maddie's driveway she asked him what he wanted to talk about. Under the midnight stars, barely able to see each other's face's he opened up. "I like you too. For a while now. I was wondering if you would like to go out?" The rest is history.

Maddie says I tell the story best, in its long purist version. I'm going to leave some stuff out just to get to the important part...I asked her dad - he said yes, I told my parents - they were exctied and she had no idea. Each year we go on a beach family vacation and take family pictures; expect this year there was going to be a little twist. Some point in the afternoon after we are relaxing on the beach. I go down to the water to plan with my parents. Against her will, we go back to the house and start cooking dinner. “Hey Maddie,” I say, “Why don’t you go take a shower? We are taking pictures after dinner with Dad.” Maddie shoots a glare that screams NO. “Ugh I don’t want to! I’m comfy!” *Five minutes later* “Maddie, go take a shower, I got this” I say. Another no. Finally after the fourth time, she gives in. I get ready and we all met downstairs to go walk on the beach and it’s raining. All but Maddie check to see when the rain will pass. As the rain ends we start walking up to the beach. “You know, you give me anxiety,” Maddie tells me. “What? Why?” I reply. “Because every time we dress up I think you’re going to propose” (I think at this point my heart stopped. “WhatWhy-WhatWouldYouSay” I say in on word. “Oh well I guess I would say yes, I don’t know” she casually replied. Great confidence booster. As we get on the beach my Dad asks Maddie to take the hair tie off her wrist. She looks and slids the hair tie into my left pocket aka where the ring is! 2nd time my heart stopped. Finally, we get to our spot. Dad says, “oh hang on guys I am having battery problems.” There it is, our code word. “Maddie, you know I love you right?” Down to a knee I go. Jokingly, Maddie says, “ha ha very funny get up.” I don’t move. “Maddie, will you marry me?” She sees the ring sparkle, “OH MY GOD!" She said with the biggest and brightest smile I have ever seen in my entire life. She replies with the greatest word she has ever spoken, “Yes!”

The biggest honor is being welcomed into a family with open arms. Our engagement ring was an extension of the love and acceptance we received from our families. We were gifted Steve's grandmothers diamond, which signified to us the priceless lesson of the power of love and commitment. Together, we designed the ring from start to finish. The center diamond representing past love, the side diamond representing our present love and the other side diamond representing our future love. On the side of the ring is a wheat carving, to not only allow the ring to appear more vintage (since growing up with antiques) but to connect to the natural world and pay tribute to the agricultural background of Madisen's family. Underneath, holding the center diamond, is a lotus flower representing the pure nature of love and how through even the darkest moments, love will rise above all.