It’s happening, we’re getting married!

Mark and I worked at Newark Middle School together for 1 year. During that time, I had ankle surgery and wore a bright pink cast when I was able to come back to work. He claims it was the bright pink cast that did it for him. We would always just exchange hellos in the hallways and smile. But at the end of the year we started to get to know each other. I was hopeful that the next school year we would be closer and continue talking. However, I soon found out he was moving districts! But that didn’t steer him away. I traveled a lot that summer and we planned when I got back from my last trip we would go for coffee. Jokes on him, I didn’t like coffee so we switched our date to LongHorn. I apparently blew him away from being bold enough to order a steak. After two hours of getting to know each other, I think we both knew that we liked each other. From that night it was history. We found love with each other & we cannot wait to see what our future holds. ♥️

Julia’s mom decided to rent a cottage on Cayuga Lake for the 4th of July weekend with a few family friends. I had this amazing plan to propose when we went to Cape Cod in August; I was going to do a private tour of the Nauset Lighthouse with a photographer following us and pop the question during sunset. Perfect, right?! Well, I just couldn’t or didn’t want to wait any longer, the 4th of July weekend was perfect. No one knew, however, that morning I told Jim (Mary’s fiance) to give him a heads up. After a long hot day in the sun followed by a mid day nap I asked to take a couple photo with her out on the dock. I grabbed Jim to tell him it was happening and to get ready with the camera. Julia grabbed her mom to come down on the docm and take the photos of us, but she had no idea. SO! We posed for the photo and when Julia went to go look at it she said, “Looks good!” And I said, “Wait, one more...” she turned around and I was down on one knee, for what felt like hours, asking her to marry me. Her and her mom screamed as they were both surprised. Everyone ran out of the house clapping and yelling. She said, “YES!” I was the happiest guy in the world, and I was trying so hard not to fall backwards into the lake ! It is so hard to surprise Julia because she always finds a way to ruin them, but I was able to surprise her which is what I wanted.