This is our story and like every great love story it began with that one moment that makes your heart skip a beat, world turn upside down. Our story began with me receiving a Facebook message from Stephen, then some texting back and forth and then came “the moment”. The moment happened on Halloween weekend, I was bartending at Brickwood and dressed as a mermaid while Stephen was at a house party and dressed as a 1970s marathon runner (think afro wig, short shorts and high socks). It was after a few drinks that Stephen developed “liquid courage” and decided that he should pay a visit to me at the bar. As you can imagine the bar was packed and I was busy making drinks when all of a sudden in walks Stephen a 1970’s marathon runner (this is when we cue the “heart skips a beat, world turns upside down” moment), we chatted for a few minutes but then I had to get back to work. It must have been the mascara painted mustache that really won me over because we planned our first date for a few days later (Monday night). Monday evening arrives and like a true gentleman Stephen offers to pick me up. He arrives on time and rings the doorbell however, I am not ready so I greet him while brushing my teeth (sorry B)…lucky for me he didn’t mind. Our first date was at JoJos (a local restaurant that offers a no corkage fee/ BYOB of wine night on Mondays), we shared a bottle of Finger Lakes wine and had a great meal. Safe to say that first date went great and we really hit it off, before long we began spending all of our free time together enjoying the Finger Lakes, checking out local breweries, hiking local trails and learning more about one another. It wasn’t long until we fell in love.

In 2017 we created a fall must do list, it was our way to ensure we enjoy all the wonder and beauty of the fall season. On the list we had “view the sunrise” and since it’s on the fall bucket list we decided to make it happen! Our plan was to hike to an overlook (one we found at Mendon Ponds Park on one of our first dates), on Saturday morning (October 28th) we would brew a thermos of coffee, bring donuts, cozy blankets and take in the views. A few days before Saturday Stephen mentioned inviting my parents to hike with us and to my surprise they said yes (I was thinking to myself “there is no way they will want to wake up that early on the weekend”). Saturday morning arrives (prepare yourself for the real “heart skips a beat, world turns upside down” moment) and it’s the perfect fall morning, we meet my parents and begin our hike. We arrive at the spot and the sun begins to rise, my mom tells Stephen and I to get together for a photo then all of a sudden Stephen gets down on one knee. Stephen starts saying the most wonderful words, asks me to marry him and opens the box to show me the most perfect ring. I am in shock, jumping up and down and crying…I say YES! My parents pop a bottle of champagne and Stephens parents emerge from the woods…it is simply perfect. The rest of the day was spent celebrating with our friends and family and October 28th, 2017 will go down in history as one of the greatest days of our lives. It was the perfect day filled with so much love, happiness and celebration.