We both work for Publix, and we have a few mutual friends through work. We started chatting in a group chat on the phone, along with a few other people. We got to know one another through talking on the phone all of the time. Then, one day we went to the beach to celebrate a mutual friends’ birthday. CJ picked a random wildflower and gave it to Deanna. She wore it in her hair for the rest of the day. This was the day we knew we were meant to be together. Something just sparked between us, and it hasn’t left us since.

We planned for a July, 4th beach getaway as a late birthday gift for Deanna. CJ planned a very nice dinner for us the night we arrived. He suggested that we go down to Indian Rocks Beach at sunset to take some pictures. Deanna got dressed up a bit, as did CJ. CJ had a tripod to put his phone on to take the pictures. Little did Deanna know, he started recording a video, dropped down on one knee, and proposed with the sweetest little speech. Deanna covered her mouth and started crying, which felt like an eternity, and finally said YES! CJ got the whole thing on video. It was one of the best nights of our entire lives.