It was November 2017 when Wayne picked up to move to Sarasota, Fl. Just a few months later in March 2018, Melissa did the same. Years would pass with them living only 5 miles from each other, going to the same gym, and visiting the same places before they would meet. Fast forward to September 2021 when Leigh Thornton (bridesmaid) was celebrating her birthday at the Gator Club in downtown Sarasota. Melissa walks in and sees this tall and handsome man sitting at the corner of the bar all by himself. While having fun with friends, she couldn't help to send a few glances his way. Although he never saw, her friend sure did and said, "just send a drink already!" Melissa sends that drink then turns around to see that he was gone. Back to the birthday festivities, a few minutes later she gets a tap on the shoulder, "Hi, I'm Wayne". One date turned into two, and two very quickly turned into many, many more. Her love for nature and being outdoors, brought the concrete jungle city boy out into the sun for many days of water fun. They both share a great love for boating/jetskiing and can often be found at the sandbar, singing to their favorite songs, playing beer pong, and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather with friends alike. Wayne's mom Barbara and Melissa's dad Mark, share the same birthday in January. What started out as a party to celebrate the two of them, evolved into celebrating seven January birthdays this past year. The birthday party turned into an engagement party. On January 26th, 2025, surrounded by forty family and friends, and three and a half years since they met, Wayne proposed to Melissa using the antique European engagement ring his mother received from his father. Their future together will remain in Sarasota, where kids, pets, and a bigger house to fit them may be their next big journey. Flower special meaning: Melissa's grandparents, Jim and Jody Presley, absolutely loved their time in Florida and inspired Melissa's love for the sunshine state. Bird of Paradise flowers are a symbol of remembrance of them. When Jim died, those were sent for his funeral and Melissa vowed to have them at her wedding. Mary Sobey, Melissa's maternal grandmother, unfortunately passed earlier this year just 5 days after her engagement. She was always a big fan of purple orchids. The purple Dendrobiums are a symbol of remembrance for her. The black and gold invitations are a symbol of remembrance of Jimmy Black, Wayne's grandfather.