As most of you know, we both attended the greatest school in the country, Florida State University. During the summer before our senior year, school was between sessions and the town was empty. We were both at the very prestigious Pub at the Tennessee Strip. It happened to be a Wednesday night, meaning it was the exclusive "White Trash Wednesday" and we were dressed in our finest attire. Andrew's friends were playing pool, my friends and I were at a nearby table chatting. Andrew’s friend Andy LaBrecque asked if they could keep their pitcher of beer on our table while they played, despite all the empty tables around us. When a seat next to me became empty, Andrew took the opportunity sit down and we talked the rest of the night. The rest of that summer sealed our fate together, though we spent several years separated by distance while Andrew was in flight school for the Navy. Four years later, I followed my heart to Washington when he was stationed here.

On a gorgeous spring day in Washington, Andrew suggested we go on a hike after I got home from work. The days were gradually getting longer and the sun wasn’t expected to set until after 9 pm. We hiked a short distance out to Rosario Point and sat on a rock overlooking the Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Deception Pass. As we sat there, I made a comment about how pretty the impending sunset was going to be. I knew something was up when Andrew responded that we wouldn’t be there long enough to see it since he might have something else planned for afterwards. It's all little blurry after that. Andrew got down on one knee and I remember saying yes-- Andrew doesn't, but somehow a ring ended up on my finger and we were engaged!