Three months after moving to Columbia, Stephanie met Jay at his least favorite bar. Just three months later, Jay was the first to say ‘I love you’ in a corner booth of that same least favorite bar. The next three years brought on many changes, including a “long-distance” move for Jay, career advancements for both of us, and finally a move together. At the time we say our ‘I dos’ just over six years will have passed, and while we no longer frequent that least favorite bar, we cannot deny how lucky we are to have met there that night<3
Jay had the perfect plan to ask Stephanie to marry him. He was going to propose to her Thanksgiving evening surrounded by their friends and family during a game night. He had thought of everything….. except the fact that it would be near impossible to get a word in with that many people around playing Catch Phrase! At one point during the night, Jay realized that a very public and crowded proposal just wasn’t them. This created a new challenge for Jay, as a few friends, and family members, expected a proposal that night. So he had to covertly sneak around and let them know it wasn’t happening that night. As the next morning came Jay and Stephanie were preparing brunch for family members that were about to arrive. He was a wreck deliberating the perfect time to pop the question. That’s when it hit him. It was moments like this one, just out of bed making breakfast and still in pajamas, which defined their relationship to a tee. Comfortable, supportive, fun and carefree. This was the moment. Jay sat her down on the couch and said those terrifying four little words, “We need to talk.” He was thinking, “This is it!” She was thinking, “My family is coming over in 5 minutes - maybe we should do this later.” As she was sitting there he explained how he was waiting for the perfect moment to do this, but realized that no moment’s perfect. But, the feeling he had when with her is. He got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. Stephanie tearfully agreed. They later celebrated with brunch, mimosas, and family.