We're getting married!

Our story began at Morgan Stanley in Baltimore, MD in July 2019 where I started my very first full-time job. Five days into that new chapter, I met Kenneth. Kenneth was at his desk probably thinking about how much he hated Mondays when our manager introduced us (if you've ever been with Kenneth on any given Sunday, then you know how much he hates Mondays because he always gripes, "ughhh...I don't want to go to work tomorrow"). The handshake was brief; Kenneth barely said a word to me. My first impression? "Wow, what an a-hole!" Before long, Kenneth was tasked with training me in my new role on the team. Our exchanges were always filled with sarcastic banter and playful jabs over Skype, as we poked fun at our quirky (read: nerdy) coworkers. Despite my initial impression, Kenneth's humor and wit began to grow on me, and I realized how big of a heart he truly had. It wasn't long before he gave me his number to text him. That text led to our first date at Ale Mary's on Spaghetti Night, followed by ice skating at the Baltimore Harbor on December 4th, 2019. Just four days later, Kenneth asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes, despite knowing he would soon be moving to Nashville for a new job at the beginning of 2020. We kept our relationship under wraps (sorry, HR!) until he left. When the world turned upside down with Covid, Kenneth returned to Baltimore in May 2020 to work remotely from the house he still owned. As rough as this time was for everyone, I always selfishly say the pandemic was a blessing in disguise for our long distance relationship. We spent nearly 14 months together, growing closer before he had to move back to Nashville in July 2021 Our relationship withstood the test of time and distance through many short flights and long Facetime calls. When Kenneth moved back to Maryland in October 2023, it became clear to me: "Oh shit...he's serious." In March 2024, we took a big step and bought a beautiful house together. That May, we officially moved in to begin a lifetime of laugher and love.

While Kenneth and I were dating long distance, I had always told him I wouldn't say yes to a proposal until we were living under the same roof. So, naturally, he waited a total of five days after officially living together to pop the question, and surprised me in a way I never expected. The story of the proposal began in April 2024 when Kenneth secretly began a group message with our closest friends and family to coordinate every detail. My college roommates reached out to coordinate brunch (something a part of the plan to get me out of the house). Since I was overwhelmed with packing and preparing to move out of my childhood home, I was initially on the fence about attending. However, the girls suggested meeting at a place near our new house, making it easier on me. The night before, one of the college roommates, Anna, offered to pick me up, claiming she wanted to see the new house. I almost declined because the house was still a work in progress, but I ultimately agreed. I suggested to Kenneth that he go disc golfing while I went to brunch to give us both a break from unpacking. He agreed, but unbeknownst to me, this was all part of his plan. The morning of brunch was a blur. I woke up later than planned and barely had time to get ready after going to the gym. I threw on an old and random outfit, skipped blow-drying my hair, and only had time to put on some tinted moisturizer. During brunch, the conversation naturally turned to upcoming weddings and recent engagements of friends. When the girls asked when I thought Kenneth would propose, I confidently said, “Not anytime soon.” We had planned to focus on settling into our new home and getting through the summer filled with our friends' weddings before thinking about our own. The drive home from brunch took an unexpected turn (pun intended). Anna asked me about our neighborhood and why it was called "Pondview". I mentioned there was a pond nearby and offered to show her. Little did I know, I was walking into a proposal. As we pulled up near the pond, I saw Kenneth dressed up in a button-down and slacks. I was completely confused. I asked myself, "Why would he disc golf in that?" Kenneth explained he wanted to take pictures by the pond because I looked nice from brunch. Of course, I said no since my hair and makeup weren't done. But before I could protest further, Anna unbuckled my seatbelt and practically pushed me out her car as Kenneth opened the door. As we reached the pond, Kenneth began talking and, for a split second, I thought he was about to break up with me. Before I knew it, he was down on one knee, asking me to marry him. Truthfully, I was in shock and don't remember much other than asking if he was serious at least five times. After taking pictures with the photographer who popped up behind a bush to capture the proposal, we walked back home where I was completely surprised by our loved ones. Kenneth had perfectly executed his plan, creating a proposal that was just between us, followed by a surprise celebration with our family and closest friends, just as I had always hoped and had shared with him a year or so prior (yes, he kept that in his memory bank!) Every time I think about the proposal, I tear up - it was the perfect surprise and truly a testament to Kenneth’s thoughtfulness.