Michael and I have known each other for what feels like forever. We went to middle and high school together and dated freshman year (make sure you check out the picture of our freshman year homecoming!). Eventually, like most high school romances, the relationship ended but our friendship remained. Our entire high school career revolved around us together in some fashion….from marching band where he was the trumpet section leader and me flag corp captain to playing opposite each other in the spring musicals. We drifted apart after high school graduation, but there were moments where we weaved in and out of each other’s lives. After I moved to Chicago, it would be 10 years before we reconnected again… Then one random Sunday, 10 years later, we met up for a drink at The Goat in New Albany and our souls instantly connected…the rest is history. We both have sacrificed so much to be together and we have NEVER regretted that choice. Through all the ups and downs, we have been by each other’s side. It may have taken 20 years to get here, but we got it right this time. And we are ready to CELEBRATE!

I was frantically getting everything together to surprise Charlotte and Madelyn with their first Disney trip....little did I know that Michael had a surprise for me! After a scavenger hunt that led to a large box in the living room filled with Disney balloons, Madelyn says..."mommy, what's that?". At the bottom was a smaller black box....I took it out and opened it. It was one of those boxes that opens like a flower and gets smaller and smaller as you continue to open. Each layer were pictures of Michael and I until I got to the bottom where a note shaped like a heart said "turn around" When I looked around confused, Michael was there on one knee. It was the most special moment as he told me how much I mean to him and the girls were there to witness. Then he asked the question "Will you marry me" and of course I said YES! The best part?? The whole thing was recorded because he urged me to record the girls' reaction when they found out they were going to Disney. So I have a record of the entire moment to keep forever <3