The Cliff Notes begin with Amber running the table on Evan at the Corner Pocket in St. Charles, IL on January 8th, 2006 (a date we're certain of only because it was John Brackmann's 21st Birthday party), and concludes among a pile of DIY dreams in Lexington, KY. Along the way are thousands of traveled miles, back roads, camp sites, late nights, and far too many adventures to list. There are train commutes and plane commutes to feed a flame that would not quit, horses & rock walls, Chicago staycations, day-long strolls from Comiskey Park to Wrigley Field, bountiful gardens, several city apartments, countless dive bars, epic Schmanksgivings, questionable food choices, three different rock bands, and one giant cat whose presence still haunts all those he's ever shared a beer with. And friends. So many wonderful people that have been there throughout the entire unabridged version. There is of course one tiny element of this story that's been left out. April 20th, 2018 marks the 10 year anniversary of the event that changed our lives forever. While we originally hoped to hold our ceremony on this day, and reclaim that date as one to celebrate, logistics would not cooperate... though some 4/20 references may still be worked in! #liveandlove

In 2015, Amber purchased a 125 y.o. house on a corner lot blocks from downtown Lexington, and Evan acquiesced that her Kentucky habit would not die. Plans were hatched and Evan joined her in fall of 2016. Amber dropped a drunken knee shortly thereafter, and only slightly in jest. At the June '17 OG Camping Wedding of Brandon & Nicole, and with travel-buddy Seamus Hehir in tow, they gazed upon an engagement ring as part of an estate lot at the "Alaska Mint" in Anchorage, AK. Did you know there's no sales tax in Alaska? #alaskaperks #makingmartyproud Being complete noobs in the art of fine jewelry shopping the duo did their due-diligence, left the ring in Alaska, and returned to Kentucky to tour mass-produced ring options for the financially minded. But those didn't come with stories or memories, and none inspired the desire to throw a few paychecks out the window. Amber was told Alaska Ring was ordered, and no more questions were to be asked. On August 21, 2017, in the Back 40 of a dive bar on the KY/TN line and surrounded by some of the World's Best People; in a darkness that wasn't quite darkness but instead something much bigger, and as the sun entered 2 minutes & 30+ seconds of eclipse totality, Evan hit the proverbial proposal home run. As Amber grinned madly at a weird black orb from behind cheesy paper glasses Evan presented their Alaska Ring and sealed a deal that had been been set in stone (minus some government documents) many moons ago. She said yes, everyone cheered, Brendan cried, and it was all quite perfect. So it should come as no surprise when, 3 weeks later, while waiting on a certain someone's proposal pics to arrive (coughseamuscough) Evan was tipsy & losing to Amber in pool (again), and attempted to announce their engagement on Facebook but instead just face planted on the internet, to wit a whole lot of good-natured ribbing ensued. And that is the Tale of 3 Proposals, which leads to a day we cannot wait to celebrate with you in April!