We’re getting married!

Tom & I met on Bumble - the dating app where the girl "makes the first move." Although his pictures looked to be a little outdated (which they were, lol), I was intrigued by his bio. It showed he lived in Clarkston (close proximity), played golf, mentioned he will "quote movies and laugh at it" (which he definitely does, lol), he wanted kids, and "would do just about anything for a back rub" (which also holds true to this day, lol). When I started chatting with Tom on Bumble, he seemed really easy going and was willing to take me out on the weekend to accommodate my work schedule (which was really sweet). Our first date was at Parker's Hilltop Brewery in Clarkston. When I arrived he let me know he was sitting at the side bar - as soon as I walked in and saw him chatting it up with an older couple and laughing; I knew he'd be a keeper. We got a table and decided to order a few different things off the menu to split (which Tom hardly touched). He was very engaged in our conversation and never let there be a bit of silence (which for an introvert like me, is a dream). After dinner we went to Hamlin Pub and had a beer while we watched live music. The entire night Tom made me laugh. He talked about his close relationship with his family, his friends, his job, and the new house he just purchased in Clarkston. He seemed very family oriented and down to earth. From that day forward, Tom kept pursuing me and we went on multiple fun dates after (including one he planned where he took me to the planetarium in Flint to watch the stars). After that date I wrote in my journal how special he made me feel (and still does!). Shortly after he came out for my birthday in Detroit and met my sister. We had such a fun night. Shortly after that, the pandemic happened and Tom and I got to spend even more time together - cooking dinner, watching different television shows, being silly together, and lots of laughs. The rest is history!

After my dog, Mona, passed away in January 2022, Tom and I decided we would hold off on getting a new furry companion. Starting late summer/early fall I felt like I was ready for a dog again and would constantly send Tom pictures of ones I liked on PetFinder. Tom basically told me to stop sending him pictures unless I was ready to go meet one - that's when I saw Peanut. He was a cute boy who was found wandering the streets of Detroit. We decided to put an application in and were immediately contacted to do a meet and greet. On Saturday, September 1, 2022 we went to meet Peanut - he was being fostered at a house close to where I live. Peanut was SO loving and excited to meet us. The foster mom let us know we could take 24 hours to decide so Tom and I left, went to breakfast and talked it over. I kept going back and forth on what to do - I really liked Peanut, but wasn't sure about making the commitment again after having Mona for almost 16 years. The next day when we woke up I told Tom I didn't think I was ready so he said he would email the foster mom to let her know. Later that day, I met up with my mom and we went shopping. The whole time I could not stop talking about Peanut, and how I thought I just made a HUGE mistake by not getting him. I kept texting Tom from the mall, letting him know to tell the lady we wanted him. He just kept telling me "there will be other dogs" and "we don't have to get the first dog we meet." I was DEVISTATED. Later Sunday night, Tom's mom, Sharon, texted us and asked us to come over Sunday for dinner on Tuesday after work. She said it was Kelsey and her boyfriend's dating anniversary and Kevin (Kelsey's boyfriend) wanted to surprise her. Of course we said we'd go! Tuesday rolls around and I was still so sad about Peanut, constantly checking PetFinder to see if he was available again, but it kept showing he was adopted. I kept giving grief to Tom about it (sorry Tom). I asked Tom if pajamas were appropriate for dinner - I just wasn't in the mood to wear real clothes, but Tom insisted I put something decent on as I'd be meeting Kevin's parents that night for the first time. Once we arrived at Tom's parents house and the garage door was shut - which I thought was odd, since we always walk through the garage to enter their house. Tom assured me it was because of the surprise for his sister, so we headed to the front door. As soon as we got on the walkway, low and behold, my beloved Peanut came running around the corner to greet me. I was SO surprised/happy to see him that I didn't even notice he had my engagement ring on his collar. Tom kneeled down, asked me to marry him and then my parents, Tom's parents, Tom's sister and his grandma all popped out from behind the bushes. So not only did I get engaged, but I also got the best boy ever (Peanut). Tom actually went and adopted Peanut on Sunday and his wonderful parents kept him at their house until Tuesday for the big surprise. It was the best proposal I could have ever asked for!