My friend Liz and I wanted to go enjoy college football on New Years Day. We ended up bellying up at Benchmark and squeezed ourselves in next to Brandon and his friend Kevin. After talking all afternoon, numbers were exchanged, thanks to Kevin for being his wing man. After our first date, we pretty much thought this could really be something!

We were on a family ski trip in Aspen, CO when Brandon proposed. Brandon carried the ring box with him up on the mountains hoping to get the moment captured by aerial drone with mountain landscape, but due to heavy snow, it was not possible. Prior to dinner on our last night, we decided to take some pictures outside of our hotel. As him and I were smiling for the cameras (but his mom secretly videoing), Brandon got down on one knee. Although I was shocked and initially speechless, I was able to scream out a "YES!" and we were engaged! We're so excited to celebrate this next chapter in our lives with all of you! See you in Chicago on New Year's Eve!