It’s funny how things work out in life. I had just decided to transfer to the University of Maine at Augusta from a college about an hour north of there. It was a split decision that I made so that I could be closer to home. I signed up for classes, not knowing anyone who attended UMA, just to get my degree and start my career. I was then contacted by the women’s basketball coach at UMA to see if I wanted to play that season. I took some time to think about it and I ultimately decided to play. A week or so went by, which led me to office to discuss the program and what it would entail that year. When I walked in, I saw Brandon and another men’s player in the office doing homework. I had no idea from that moment my life would change forever. Through seeing each other before and after practices, a couple awkward encounters in the library, and traveling together for away games, our relationship developed and grew. We eventually became each other’s number one supporter during the season and in life in general. The thing that makes me believe the phrase, ‘Everything happens for a reason’, is that how did Brandon, who is a California native, end up across country at the very school I transferred to? I don’t know how it happened but I’m sure glad it did. Love, Emily

It was May 11th, 2016, my 23rd birthday. We greeted each other after a long day at work. Brandon told me to put a blind fold on and get in the car because he had a surprise for me. We drove for what felt like FOREVER until we came to a stop at a cute little restaurant in Woolwich (which I didn’t know at the time) and had a great meal and a few glasses of wine. After his suspicious attempt at stalling, he put the blindfold back on me and we took off again in the car. This ride felt even longer than the first (could’ve been the wine) but we finally reached the destination. Brandon helped me out of the car (still blindfolded) and I was instantly met with a chilly breeze and the sound of seagulls flying around us. At this point I was so disoriented, I had no idea where we were but all I knew is that it was cold. I was in a thin summer dress and flip flops and was definitely not prepared for this climate. He took both my hands and started to guide me toward something. All I had was my hearing and touch to try to guess where I was. First gravel, then grass, then squeaky floorboards, and lastly, very steep stairs. I kept joking if he was “trying to kill me” by leading me blindfolded up steep stairs wearing flip-flops. I finally made it to a flat surface at the top of this treacherous climb. He took the blindfold off. My eyes took a few seconds to adjust, but when I could see, it was an endless view of the ocean. We were on top of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. It was stunning! Wanting to share in this experience, I turned around to show Brandon and there he was, down on one knee. The ring glistening with every pass of the spotlight and my heart exploded... and so did the tears. He told me to look down and what I saw made the tears flow harder. He coordinated the whole thing so both of our families were at the bottom of the lighthouse to witness this amazing event. My heart is still so full from all the planning and hard work he put into creating such a special moment.