We're Getting Married

I knew who Sean was way before we actually met. We both played lacrosse and were in Greek life, so our paths crossed a few times. I always just thought, "there's the guy that can't make the morning shuttle on time." He and his friend Rich (Best Man) would be late EVERY SINGLE WEEK, and it became a game to me to turn around in my seat and watch Sean run for the bus, and Rich slowly shuffled along behind him. We had a few classes together as well but it was not until August of 2013 (my 3rd year his 5th year) that we really got to meet. The men's lacrosse team had a large apartment back in Hoboken and I went along with some of the girls to a party there. I think it took about 10 minutes of being there before we ran into each other and started talking. Another 5 min and a smooth line of "I feel old lets get out of here" from Sean and we headed to the bars together and 8 years later Sean is still old and we are still ditching parties to hang out by ourselves.

Courtney and I first met on the shuttle, that went up to campus. The first time we ever spoke, Court came up to me after we got off the shuttle and pulled my sweatshirt down, which was tucked up under my backpack. I wore my sweatshirt like that all the time and she just said; “Please stop doing this, just pull your sweatshirt down” I was completely shocked haha! The next fall was my final year at Stevens. A few guys I played Lacrosse with always hosted a “back to school” party at their apartment once everyone was back on campus. The party was completely packed and my roommate and I were the only 5th year seniors there. I ran into Courtney at the party and asked if she would like to leave and just go grab a drink with me at a bar. We hopped around to a few bars and had such a blast. Courtney gave me her number and the following night I asked if she wanted to meet me at “Sangria Sunday”. She agreed under the condition I would buy her friends drinks as well. This didn’t line up with my college budget, but I agreed and knew I would be eating ramen the next couple weeks. This night was also a blast, I grabbed a glass from behind the bar that Courtney wanted to keep. After that she made me take two others for her, I left the bar with three pint glasses, my pockets were all completely full as we left! From there our first real date was dinner together at Charrito's. Eveything went well, outside of a minor incident with a lime juice getting in my eye! From there we continued to see each other regularly. By winter we were officially dating and the rest is history !

I decided I wanted us to get engaged in the same city we officially started dating in, Washington D.C. I had everything planned for Saturday night. We would go out to dinner, walk over to the Jefferson Memorial where Courtney’s best friends would be our surprise photographer and I would pop the question. Then head out and meet all our friends who came down to celebrate with us. This ended up easily being the longest day of my entire life. While our friends that came down from Hoboken scootered around town and went to the zoo. Courtney and I sat around my parents’ house; I even dragged her to the mall so I could buy new athletic socks. Stress levels were at an all time high by the time we were in the uber on our way to dinner. I was so stressed I honestly don’t even remember much of the dinner (except for ordering their strongest drink on the menu). After we finished we had a beautiful walk along the water over to the Jefferson Memorial. At the top of the steps I got on one knee and asked Courtney to marry me. Her friends, who had told Court they couldn’t make it down to DC, jumped out and surprised her. It was perfect. From there we all headed out to celebrate with our all friends and family who were waiting for us at a local bar.

For MDW we were down in D.C. with a bunch of friends. One of the nights Sean and I went to dinner just us. He seemed a little nervous but as the night went on he did relax a little and we were having a good time. I kept talking about how I was excited for dessert. Right before it was time to order I took a trip to the bathroom and on my way there I ran into my friend Sydney .... who lives in West Virginia. She was so startled to see me that she panicked, and ran away. Now I know whats going on, I am pacing in the bathroom. I have to get myself together because Sean can not know that I know! I go back to the table insisting that I am too full for dessert, (really I'm too excited I should have gotten it) so we pay and head out. Once we started walking down the Potomac river I knew where we were going. I pulled him along to the Jefferson memorial and to the top of the stairs. He had 3 of my friends hiding there to take pictures and "surprise" me after. It was perfect with the sun setting over the river. He also planned an open bar with all the friends that came down with us to celebrate!