WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

If we had to describe how we met in one word, it would be fate. We actually went to the same high school, had many mutual friends and lived just miles away from each other for many years of our lives. Despite the fact that we could have met thousands of times, we didn't. Luckily, one day we became friends on Facebook, which is what started our great love story. When Anthony discovered through Facebook (thanks to our good friend, Jamal Khays) that we were taking the same cruise just weeks apart, he took the opportunity to make himself known to me. After Anthony returned from his cruise he reached out to give me the details about the ship and ports of call and from there the rest is history. We spent the following days talking on the phone, texting constantly and telling our family and friends we had met someone special. We will never forget the happiness we felt during this time. Fast forward a few weeks later when we met at Fish Thyme for our first date. I remember being so nervous to meet someone I felt like I knew so well already. I showed up to the restaurant 30 minutes early and Anthony was 4 minutes late (if you know Anthony, you know this is actually early for him). As we approached each other and hugged for the first time, it immediately felt natural and meant to be. We sat in the back room and talked for hours. We suddenly realized they were beginning to close down the restaurant. We decided to head back to Anthony's house for a competitive round of Mario Kart. In case anyone was wondering, I won each game (Anthony may tell this part of the story differently). This first date is what started the beginning of the rest of our lives.

I knew from the beginning that one day I would ask Ali to marry me. In the blink of an eye I was searching for the perfect ring to give the love of my life. When I woke up the morning I proposed, I remember being ready more than ever to ask her to be my wife. I couldn't believe the day had come! Keeping my proposal planning a secret was a tough task in itself (if you know Ali, you know she is a "need to know the details" kind of person). I had originally planned to propose to Ali as we were picking out a Christmas tree because we all know her love for the holidays. I had already gone to Home Depot and spoken with their team members to ensure that it was going to be a perfect moment. My mom and stepdad helped me set up to film the proposal and take pictures. Unfortunately, I had to move to plan B when Ali informed me she had plans to hangout with one of her best friends after work that day. I did not want to say or do anything that would make her suspicious that I was going to propose, so I told her to enjoy her time with her friend! That was ok though because plan B was to take Ali to Fish Thyme, where we had our first date (romantic, I know). We met my mom and stepdad there for a causal dinner and pretended to have to wait for table. We then made our way outside to take a few pictures in front of the fire pit. This was it! I was finally about to ask Ali to marry me! I set her glass of wine down and told her how much I love her and that this was the place we met and fell in love. I got down on one knee and asked Ali to spend the rest of her life with me. She of course accepted or you wouldn't be reading this. We spent the rest of the night celebrating our engagement. Ali made sure the tables around us knew we were just engaged and that we were both on cloud 9! We toasted to our future, love and the best night ever. This is a night we will never forget, I am the luckiest man in the world.