We're getting married!

We are beyond excited to get to share this milestone and our story with you! Flashback to the summer of 2020. Alex and I were co-workers at Crook & Crook. After months of flirty banter, "secret" lunch dates, and countless days of other co-workers telling us we should be together, Alex finally asked me to be his girlfriend. "Team work makes the dream work." That has been our motto from the very beginning. At the start of our relationship, both of us knew that there were goals and growth we individually wanted to accomplish, but the most exciting part was knowing we'd get to do it hand in hand. We made a promise to each other to go back to school and get our degrees. And so, while both of us were working full time, Alex enrolled into FIU where he later graduated with his Bachelors in Construction Management and I got back to finish my Bachelors in Nursing at West Coast University. Those two years were the most stressful, yet rewarding for us. Our relationship was tested, but only to prove to each other that in the midst of all the chaos, we are each others peace. After graduating, life took off in many different directions. We both started our careers with new companies and truly started to understand what everyone meant when they told us that our sacrifices would pay off. Having free time meant more time together, more time with loved ones, travelling, and planning for our next adventure. Little did I know that included Alex asking me to marry him. Alex planned the most beautiful proposal. Being the smart man that he is, he made sure to keep me busy with planning and coordinating his 30th birthday plans to distract me from the engagement prep. He convinced me that his birthday absolutely needed to be celebrated in Sanibel with our closest friends. Seeing that this was our typical summer destination, I didn't think twice. I was just happy to have secured a date that I could visit my happy place. July 20, 2024 was the most perfect day. We spent the morning and early afternoon on the beach, tanning, having drinks, and listening to our favorite country songs. When the weather got a little spotty, we packed up and headed back to the AirBnb for lunch and to get ready for Alex's "birthday dinner". Our friends convinced me that we needed to make a stop before dinner to take group sunset pictures. I was up for it, until we got there and the gnats were intolerable! Sitting on the beach and waiting for the perfect sunset was painful because of all the bugs, but our friends insisted we waited to take pictures. Once the sun was finally setting, I rushed to take pictures by the shoreline. While posing, one of our friends asks Alex, "are there any other poses you guys want to do?". I quickly declined and took a step to walk away while swatting gnats off my legs. Alex quickly grabbed my hand and spun me around to find him down on one knee and ring in his hand. I paused in awe, looking at the love of my life, speechless with tears in his eyes. Through both our tears, Alex finally mutters the words "will you marry me?" I happily said yes and ugly cried as I showed off my new engagement ring. Since then, we have been loving every moment of being engaged. From the support we've felt from our loved ones to the excitement we feel after checking off one more item on our wedding planning list - it has all been magical. If you're still reading this - thank you for being a part of our journey. We can't wait to see you all the day we say "I do"!