Roland and Courtney met on the very first day of summer orientation at SUNY Potsdam. Courtney ran into Roland in the parking lot and cheerfully asked him if he knew where to go to go for the next event. He didn't but they figured it out together. From that very first day, Courtney's personality and charm stuck with Roland. For the remainder of Freshman year, the two remained friendly, saying hello when they ran into each other. But it wasn't until the Fall semester sophomore year when it all started coming together... For some reason, Roland kept asking Courtney to do homework with her, and spend time together doing small things. She couldn't figure out why, but enjoyed his company, so she said yes. While walking to a party, Roland grabbed Courtney under his arms in a circle on the sidewalk, and changed everything. The very wise Philosophy Club had put a circle on the ground: outside the circle it said, "Important". So Roland placed both of them inside the circle, and suggested "Let's take a moment to be unimportant in the world together." Then, Courtney knew he was different. They spent the rest of the night talking under street lights, completely forgetting their original plans for the night. Roland walked Courtney back to her dorm, kissed Courtney on her cheek, and sealed both of their fates!

As some of you know, Courtney has gone to both Italy and Portugal with her mother. This time around, it was time to take Roland to Europe. Where better to take a French Canadian than France? And where better to go in France than Paris! So, they found a couple of cheap flights, and hopped on the opportunity to go to Paris in January. Before they went, Roland made sure to fill Courtney in on the most important parts of French history, including the French Revolution, Louis the 14th, 15th, and 16th, and the significance of Versailles. Courtney thought that Roland was excited to be exploring his French roots, but it turned out to have a bit more personal significance... In Paris, they ate, drank, and got engaged! It all happened in the gardens at Versailles. After a late start to the day due to jet lag, they finally arrived at Versailles in the afternoon. They saw the King's Chambers, the Hall of Mirrors, the Woman's Wing, and the Tea Room. It was all so grand and magnificent, just the way King Louis intended it to be. After touring the interior, they wandered the gardens, ending up in front of a gold ladened fountain. There, Roland asked Courtney, "Will you marry me and have lots of babies with me?" Anyone who knows these two knows that Roland is the smartest person in the world for putting that last part in there... He really sealed the deal with that proposal! Of course, Courtney said "yes"! From hear on out, Versailles will have a special place in their hearts.

All in all, Roland and Courtney had been dating for 8 and a half years (give or take a year in between) from the time Roland kissed her cheek sophomore year to the time he got on one knee in the gardens at Versailles. Together and apart, they have been to many different places, including Northern NY, Long Island, Florida, D.C., Wilmington NC, and Italy. They learned from all of these experiences, took time to grow as individuals, and always came back to the relationship to be even stronger for the other person. They want to thank all of the family and friends that stuck by them during these long years. You all helped greatly to shape us into the individuals and the couple that they are today, and we can not be more appreciative for that love and support! We would like to invite you all to help us celebrate our love, as we finally tie the knot and formally become husband and wife! The act of both families coming together to help us start our own family means everything to us, and we thank you all for allowing us the privilege to say our vows in front of you all!