Is was Halloween weekend, October 28, 2016 to be exact, when two of our good friends introduced us at Harry’s Bar and Tables. Although we did not start officially dating until New Years Day 2018, (yes Steve made me wait that long ;) ) it was worth the wait. Today, I always tell my friends that if they want to meet the man of theirs dreams at a bar, they need to wear a leotard because my US Olympic gymnast look got me Steve.

On the first day of a vacation to Italy we spent the day exploring Venice. I kept the ring in my pocket all day with plans to propose that night because I couldn't wait another day. Everything was going well until we stopped at our last museum for the day and the security guard made me empty my pockets. I froze and didn't know what to do. I looked around nervously and laughed when Shannan said "why are you acting so weird?" I turned my back to Shannan and quickly showed the guard the ring, he quietly apologized and we walked into the museum with me thinking "she knows". As we explored the museum I couldn't think about anything other than how my proposal was no longer a secret. We left and took an evening gondola ride throughout the city and passed under The Bridge of Sighs where you are supposed to make a wish, my wish was that she would say "yes" ....and also that she didn't realize a had a ring. At the end of the gondola ride I got down on a knee and asked Shannan to marry me, I could tell right away the surprise wasn't ruined and she said YES!