- HERS - Dave & I met at Magna when he started in early 2018. For almost a year, we didn't talk much since we worked opposite shifts. One day, he passed my desk and dropped a one liner which made me laugh! I started staying past the start of his shift, just to chat. I really enjoyed his stories, his humor, and his genuine personality. After work on Fridays, our co-workers would go for drinks at Champions, a local bar/restaurant. Lucky for me, Dave didn't work Fridays. I never admitted it, but I always hoped that he would show up! We shared drinks and laughs and continued to get to know each other. I always felt like I could be myself around him - his presence made me feel like I was home! - HIS - I was a second shift manager for Magna. April was an engineer in charge of the facility. Our paths rarely crossed. We had little reason to have more than a greeting as she left for the day, and I started my shift. My schedule was for long hours, but only Monday through Thursday each week. On Fridays, several of the dayshift staff would meet at a local restaurant/bar to unwind and relax from the demanding week. I was extended an invitation from several of my dayshift peers to join in the Friday festivities. This is where April and I first had the opportunity to chat on occasion. We learned of our similar interests in music, 5K charity runs, food, and small local experiences. As time progressed, I found myself drawn to April at these Friday gatherings. I would look for opportunities to have more frequent and longer conversations with this sweet and beautiful woman. It was more than a year before we ventured for our first meal together, just the two of us. We've spoken since, and both agree that we had a cautious interest from early on. It was a tender and amazing journey getting to know this incredible woman. I'm so excited to continue this journey with her by my side.

- HERS - 2019 -- Dave & I would talk any chance we could! In the mornings when I got into work, I would find sweet messages from him that he had handwritten, scanned, & sent to my email the previous night. Our first official dates were a Michael Jackson Tribute concert & Phantom of the Opera in late January. In April, we went on a Hot Chocolate Run downtown & afterwards, I met Lincoln (at the time, he was 3.5 years old!) for the first time. In the summer, we picnicked at Erie Metro Park - one of our favorite memories! In August, we took an overnight trip to Canada & enjoyed the wineries. We spent our first New Years together after a fancy dinner at Andiamo's. Throughout the year, we celebrated all the little things with the help of our Daily Holiday Calendar :) 2020 & 2021 -- We survived Covid! (I honestly don't think I would have faired well without him!) We cooked & baked more, spent more time outside, rode our bikes & discovered trails in the area - we even took our first bike trip! We woke up early to see the sunrise & had fancy date nights in. Dave visited Pittsburgh for the first time & I was finally able to show him where I grew up. We hung out with family and friends when we could & spent more time together as a family of 3! We knew there wasn't anyone else we'd rather be with, throughout quarantine or throughout life! 2022 -- In the early parts of the year, we started transforming Dave's house into our home! I put the 'bows' on things, as Dave would say :) Anyways, we celebrated Dave's big milestone birthday in April with a semi-surprise party, explored Wyandotte & discovered a few new favorite restaurants & got engaged in July! (see story below!) In September, we went on a 2 day - 80 mile bike trip on the 275 Metro Trail & in December, over Christmas break, Dave AND Lincoln visited me & my family in Pittsburgh! I am just so lucky to love & be loved by a wonderful man & an incredibly sweet boy! -HIS- April & I had known each other for a little while. Our most common interaction early on was limited. Fridays with several work friends on occasion & a rare couple of minutes, if that, throughout the week. The notes I sent through the work printer were a joke at first. There was no signature & the "sender" was Xerox (lol). After we spoke about the notes & started to express our feelings, the notes developed into the sweet start of our story. Through the end of 2019 & into the start of 2020 was when we both considered the relationship more serious. There wasn't a minute of any day that we wanted to be apart. It didn't matter what we were doing, we preferred to do it together. Then Covid came. We found the opportunity to spend an incredible amount of time together & continued to want more. I remember Lincoln (my -at the time- 5 year old boy) saying "I like her, we should keep her!" We now had a very important approval. Lincoln loves April. We are a great family. April pushes me to be a better parent. She loves to find fun & inventive ways to keep Lincoln entertained & challenged with events & destinations that are fun, while still teaching. I have no doubt that she wants the best for all of us. She amazes me daily.

- HERS - We started casually looking at engagement rings early in 2022 - by June, I had a feeling that something was in the works. What I knew for certain was that I wanted it to be a surprise! In July, we set up a family beach photo shoot with our friend, Taylor, at Sterling State Park in Monroe. As we were getting ready, I had thought "this would be a great opportunity to propose", & I think we even joked about it before we left the house! Upon arriving at the park, Dave commented on a hole in the pocket of his brand new pants - no big deal, we can sew them later... right? (In hindsight - the hole was a VERY big deal!) The photo shoot was just like the others until Lincoln & I got a few shots together by the water. I hadn't even realized that Dave had gone back to our bags, but when he came back down to the beach, Taylor (who already knew what was about to happen) prompted us to just be ourselves. The next 10 minutes were a blur, as Dave got down on one knee & asked me to marry him! I was surprised & of course I said YES!! - HIS - How do you propose to a woman this amazing? She is literally labeled as "Disney Princess" in my phone and on messenger. I had several ideas. My favorite plan was intricate, difficult, & expensive. I had a group of 20 friends & family members willing to secretly travel to Pittsburgh to surprise April at a fancy restaurant on Mt. Washington overlooking April's favorite city. There were challenges that prevented this from being the plan. As summer started, I was desperate to get an answer to a question I had yet to ask. I had designed & shopped at so many stores for the perfect ring. It felt like it was time. I contacted our friend & photographer who had already provided amazing pictures for fall and Christmas. I shared my idea to utilize her skills & friendship to capture the ask. April thought it was a great idea to get summer family photos taken. She spent the next few weeks picking the best outfits for our beach pictures. Like April, I feel like the entire day was an emotional blur. She said yes! I couldn't be happier, especially since we were able to include Lincoln in the day & capture it so beautifully.