Picture it - July 2016. Stephen and I were set up for a blind meeting at the Shiboski's annual 4th of July party. He was invited to the party by his boss (whose party it was) and I worked and was friends with his daughter, who invited me. We both knew we were meeting one another, but we both literally went to this party knowing very little about each other. All we had was each other's names, but we couldn't even put a face to the name beforehand. Stephen had already been at the party for a couple of hours when I finally arrived (after work). We were introduced to each other and we both said "it's very nice to meet you," and then we both went our own way for majority of the night, although we continued to make eye contact from across the pool throughout the party. It was then that I was chatting with my friend and her brother's girlfriend (now wife) and told them that he had yet to stop to talk to me! The girl's decided it was time for him and I to finally speak, so they rounded everyone up for a game of "Can Jam", strategically placing Stephen and I next to each other. We FINALLY exchanged words (flirting included), all while he showed me how to play the game. Once the game ended, we decided to go grab a drink and chat some more. While doing so, Stephen had a little too much to drink and I suggested we go sit down! LOL! And although the later part of the night is a slight blur for him, we did end up exchanging numbers at some point and from that very moment, we've spoken every single day since. We went on a few dates here and there throughout July and in August 2016, we decided to make it official and began referring to each other as "boyfriend" and "girlfriend," and you all know the rest of the story!

My birthday is October 25th, and on 10/22, my family was getting together to celebrate my 30th birthday. My party was held at my brother and sister-in-law's house and they decorated the house beautifully with "The Golden Girls" party decor, which was the theme of my party! Stephen and I had gotten to the house after my family and Stephen's parents had arrived. We settled in, grabbed a drink and I took in all the work my family put into the party! About 30 minutes into being at the party, my then three-year-old niece and then six-year-old nephew told me I had to come outside in the backyard for a surprise. Everyone was gathered on the deck, while my niece and nephew brought me down the stairs to the patio and told me to sit on a bench. Now I was "waiting for my birthday present." I did notice Stephen was missing, and everyone had their cellphones out, recording and taking pictures. (There was also a professional photographer there, as I always told Stephen I wanted the moment captured!) So many things began to race through my mind and I began to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. While doing so, Stephen appeared through the side gate of the yard with a dozen red roses. He was sweating and teary eyed! He handed me the roses and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.