we're getting married!

Like all modern love stories, we met swiping right on a dating app. We talked for a few days over Thanksgiving. Alex learned about the Turnpike Troubadours and the Dallas Cowboys. Brad learned about OAR and pork roll, egg, and cheese. The week after Thanksgiving, Brad's Friday night plans "got canceled" and he asked Alex to meet downtown at a local brewery. The night flowed smoothly and Brad had the pleasure of running into some of Alex's students. The next day, Brad invited Alex to a movie. He tested her early by showing up in cowboy boots, a Canadian tuxedo (denim jeans and denim shirt), and his infamous gator tooth necklace. Alex remembers Brad saying, "you might as well get to know me now". We saw Bohemian Rhapsody and ended up being the only two people in the theatre! Soon after, Brad got approval from CJ and the rest is history!

Alex's fifth year as a professor was starting in a few weeks. She wanted to do something to celebrate the end of summer and have one last hoo-rah before going back to school. Brad suggested taking a trip to some of their favorite breweries and wineries in Charlottesville, VA. When we left that morning, Brad put on his perfectly ironed shirt AND let Alex have control over the radio on the drive (she should have known something was up then!). They arrived at their first stop of the day: Bold Rock Cider. Brad walked Alex down to the water where he told her there were multiple surprises planned for the day and this was the first one. He got down on one knee and asked the question everyone had been waiting for. After celebrating with each other, we started walking back up the hill towards the seating area. To Alex's complete surprise, Brad had organized for friends from New Jersey, North Carolina, and Richmond and his siblings to be waiting to celebrate with us. It could not have been a more perfect day!