Day 1. Burlington, Vermont. Move In Day Champlain College. Scarlett and Joey met on the first day of college moving in to their freshman dorm. There were many hours of unpacking suitcases and furniture, meeting new people, and playing dorm icebreakers. At the end of the day, a group of new students from the dorm got together for the freshman cruise around Lake Champlain. There were many more people, snacks, and music. That is when the shy Joey Gallahan boldly stole some nachos from the outgoing Scarlett Clark. He insisted they were offered to the group. In retaliation, he was made to join a conga line around the entire boat. Many months pass of classes, study groups, dorm games, cafeteria hangs, and growing as friends. Someone mentioned visiting 'the aquarium' as something fun to do in Burlington. Joey finally asked for a date, and who says no to an aquarium? Of course it was a yes! The date was great, funny, and special. Although it had more frogs than fish (only about four lake bass) and was mostly childrens' science games and toys, this 'aquarium' was the first of many dates to come.
Year 8. Brooklyn, NY. Saturday March 12, 2022. A winter snowy day has arrived. Scarlett is out working. Joey is home pacing, planning, and preparing. Many years of Scarlett questioning and taunting Joey about getting married have passed. What she doesn't know is that so have a few proposal attempts. Little did she know Joey had been preparing for quite some time to ask her. He thought about around Christmas, but a Covid outbreak occurred. He planned for the tradition of Ice-Skating on Scarlett's Birthday. Covid outbreak again interfered. He thought about proposing on a trip with Scarlett's family, but the trip was postponed. Enough was enough. He had to do it. Joey spent all weekend of March 12, folding 50 origami hearts to tape on the wall, arranging the furniture, and placing rose petals and tea lights on the floor. He asked Scarlett if she would like to order take out and when she would be home. Delayed by the weather she kept pushing back her arrival time. He paced in his handsome outfit, nervously waiting for her, ring in his hand. Finally he hears her making her way up the stairs carrying her suitcases. Up and down she went a few times, never entering the apartment. Red faced matching her bright winter jacket, tired, sweaty, and carrying a laundry basket, she steps inside. Lights dimmed. Candles lit up. Joey kneeling on one knee. Cats in Bowties. Living room empty. Her first question: "Where did all the furniture go?". He shakily but confidently says, "Will You Marry Me?". Stunned. Maybe for the first time in her life, she stood speechless and quiet. He repeats, "Will You Marry Me?". He moves toward her as she drops the laundry basket, and repeats again as he shows her the perfect heart shaped engagement ring she always wished to have. Her very eloquent response, "First off, DUH. Secondly, OH MY GOSH!". She immediately begins crying as they embrace. She then sees that he had put bowties on the cats and cries even more. Joey breathed the largest sigh of relief one could ever imagine. He relaxes. They order sushi to celebrate, watch TV, and she giggles giddily staring down at her new favorite piece of jewelry the entire night (and still does).
First Summer. 2014. Baltimore/DC. Visiting Joey's Family. While the school was on summer break, Scarlett and Joey planned to meet up. They decided Scarlett would fly into Baltimore and that Joey would pick her up and bring her to his parents house. While in Baltimore they planned another aquarium date. Again, who says no to an aquarium? Walking in to the largest natural waterfall was breathtaking and exploring the four story shark tank was mesmerizing. Scarlett had visited many aquariums but nothing as magical as this. Never could she imagine this would one day be the place where they would dedicate their love to one another. Leaving a trip from Virginia 9 years later, the two joked about where they should get married. First option would be a boat wedding on Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vermont. They quickly realized due to a myriad of reasons this would not be feasible. New York City? Wouldn't be right. Texas? Nuh uh. Virginia? Not quite right. At this moment they were driving through Baltimore and remembered things special to them. It clicked for both of them and it was the first option to make them both smile and giggle. "Why not the aquarium?" "Oooo that's a cool idea!" It didn't take long before they were emailing and visiting again.
Year 10. September 23, 2023. Baltimore, Maryland. Wedding Day. This place means so much to us and we are so excited to share our important day with you. Please join us as we celebrate our past 10 years together and the beginning of forever. We can't wait to see you and begin our newest journey together. The National Aquarium of Baltimore is the perfect location for a formal evening under the sea on the Baltimore harbor. Covid: We ask, as we have several vulnerable guests, that everyone please take a rapid test before attending. -Scarlett and Joey