We met on January 24, 2016, at our alma mater, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Our Sunday started off in a typical fashion that is familiar to most college students - a bit "slow moving" from the night before paired with the excitement of a fresh semester ahead. However, and luckily for us, January 24, 2016 was no typical Sunday. Lizzie was sitting in her apartment above Quarter Barrel (or AQB as we knew it) with her best friend Brittany Hoffman when in walked Jackson, who instantly caught her eye. For Lizzie, there was an obvious attraction - could it be love at first sight? Jackson was, of course, being the true midwestern gentleman he still is today and was helping move Lizzie's roommate Dana into the apartment. Naturally, Lizzie decided to put her best foot forward and not so subtly flirt with Jackson to peak the mutual interest. Of course it worked, and the rest is history!

Prior to getting into the proposal, let's rewind one day prior. We were in New York City and it was a stunning day - 75° and full sunshine. We were going to have dinner with our friends Lily & Thomas, but Lizzie felt certain this was a decoy and that Jackson was going to get on a knee at some point that evening. Even though she was wrong about the proposal, a delightful dinner and evening in Brooklyn was still enjoyed by all. Fast forward to the next day, and it's pouring rain - i.e., an all day long, non-stop kind of downpour. A *perfect* day for a proposal, if you ask Jackson. On this soggy afternoon, we made our way to Grand Central Station to take the train to Fairfield, CT, to meet Lizzie's family for dinner. Similar to the night before, dinner actually was taking place, but tonight was the night Jackson was proposing. The plan (on paper) was, prior to dinner, the two of us would go on a sunset beach walk to look for sea-glass, which is the same activity we did seven years prior the very first time Jackson visited Fairfield. Needless to say, the weather was significantly better seven years ago. Now, undeterred by the torrential downpour, Jackson was still insisting on that beach walk. Incredulous at first, Lizzie slowly began to put the pieces together and suspect what was about to happen. And in spite of the wet conditions, the moment could not have been more magical! Honestly, it felt like something out of a movie, what with the rain, Jackson on a knee, his family calling in on FaceTime and Lizzie's family hiding in the background soaking wet. It is a day we will never forget - for many reasons - and hereby marks the beginning of the next chapter in our lives. We are so excited to celebrate with you all!

Ponte Vedra Beach is a special place. It was home to Lizzie's grandparents - the iconic Grandma Sara and Grandpa Howie - for more than 25 years. Sara and Howie's love was contagious to anyone who had the opportunity to witness it, and it is a love that Lizzie and Jackson plan to emulate in their marriage.