welcome

Growing up in Syracuse, NY, everyone knows somebody who knows somebody - although it's not a small town, it's a tight-knit one. From having mutual family friends, to their high schools being across the street from each other, to finding out they attended quite a few of the same parties, John's and Remi's paths crossed a number of times before they officially "re-met" one freezing night at the always classy establishment, the Syracuse Suds Factory (which, if you're wondering, boasts a whole 2-star rating on Yelp). They shut the bar down talking for hours about all their missed connections over the years and what was next for them after graduating college - John was headed back to Annapolis, MD, and Remi was headed back to Nashville, TN within the next few days. That night was the beginning of their love story that spans 5 states, countless airline miles, endured a 7-month deployment and that introduced to the world their lovable fur-ball Otto the Goldendoodle. They are so thankful for the way the stars aligned on that cold December night and the realization of how lucky they were to have found each other again.

Back to where it all began just 4 years earlier, John and Remi (and Otto!) flew from their home in Seattle back to Upstate NY to see their family and friends for Christmas. After flight delays, a few hundred calories burned from a run across BWI airport, a 1-hour baggage claim delay and a 2-hour white knuckle rental car drive through one of Upstate's infamous lake-effect snow storms, they arrived at Remi's parents' house at 4am. Little did Remi know that not even 12 hours later, she was going to get the surprise of her lifetime (because all she thought she was going to be doing that day was catching up on sleep!). John's alarm went off at 8am and he begged a very tired Remi to come to Skaneateles with him to help him shop for his mom's and sister's Christmas presents. Before shopping, John asked Remi if she wanted to get lunch (which he knew was an obvious "yes"), and across the street from the restaurant, he wanted to quickly check out a veteran memorial before going inside. For those of you who have been to Skaneateles, it is magical in the winter time, and this day, although frigid, was no exception. Looking out onto the lake, Remi was brushing the snow off of one of the memorial signs (and trying not to slip on the ice) - she turned around to tell John what she found, only to see him down on one knee, telling her that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. After a million yeses, lots of tears and a surprise photo shoot that John had arranged, they walked into the restaurant for the lunch they were going to have before their lives changed forever, to find that it was preset with champagne and wishes of congratulations. John kept the surprises going with an incredible engagement party with their family and friends that night - it could not have been more perfect.