John and Katie met at Katie & Jeff's (& JoAnn's) St. Patrick's Day party in March 2019. John was lame and didn't go to the after party bar at the Irish Heritage center with everyone nor did he ask for Katie's phone number. So, alas, they did not see each other again for 2 whole years! On a fateful night after helping their friend, Mancow, move into his new home, John finally found the liquid courage to nudge Jeff a little more aggressively for Katie's phone number. Jeff set up a text thread for John and Katie with JoAnn's help. Of course this led to John believing he was asking his future fiancée out for a lovely first date when it was in fact JoAnn on the receiving end of his charming text. After mass confusion from everyone, John waited until he could think straight before sending out his, "Hey. Is this Katie Soja?" text the next morning. And the rest is History.

Having grown up in various spots around Phoenix, AZ John knew he wanted to propose in Arizona. But how? He already knew Katie was expecting it. The couple had booked several touristy adventures but Katie had her eyes narrowed in on the evening in beautiful Sedona. Nothing was said between the two of them about any kind of proposal but it was certainly hanging in the air. After reaching out to many of John's married friends, a theme was reoccurring. Simplicity. She already knows it's coming so do you want to surprise her or make something extravagant out of the question. One of Katie's guilty pleasures in life is jump scaring the heck out of John when he is least expecting it. If there is any possibility of a surprise, John was signed on for that. John also wanted to include his Aunt Betty and her wife Shari, whom they were visiting. John knew Katie would not expect an early morning pop and the decision was made. Early Friday morning on March 1st before the couple headed up North, he would propose. Then they could celebrate over the next several days in Sedona, Southern Utah, Las Vegas, and again in Phoenix. After a restless night trying to order Dunkin for breakfast, another one of Katie's guilty pleasures, John was hoping the moment was perfect for his bride to be (he knew the answer before the question was asked, yes). Up early and ready to go, John was ready! With Betty & Shari patiently awaiting by the kitchen table, "wanting to start digging into the doughnuts" John was able to coax Katie out the bedroom by asking which doughnut she wanted. John knew she has a particular taste so this would take a second. While Katie debated over which donut to pick, John dropped to his knee, directly behind Katie and tapped her hip. As she turned around she was surprised to find a smiling John waiting to ask her the question. For about 3 seconds, John wouldn't have had it any other way.