We first met at Aspen Ice in 2005. It was at the local hang out spot where we spent our Friday nights ice-skating under the neon lights with friends. Although we barely spoke, it was clear that we both had crushes on each other. As with any 6th grade romance, it ended just as abruptly as it began. We drifted apart and spent the next 6 years going through middle school and high school in different circles of friends. Flash forward to 2011. We both had just graduated from Randolph High School and prepared to spend our summer enjoying time with friends before heading off to colleges. In the 10 years since that summer we still can't seem to agree on who made the first move. But what can agree on is that neither of us expected a summer fling to lead us to where we are today. We spent the next year together trying to navigate a long distance relationship and our first year at college. With Ellyn at Monmouth and Keegan at Clemson, the inevitable break up happened. However, neither one of us could fully forget the other and it wasn't long before we realized we were better together. In February of 2014, Keegan flew up to surprise Ellyn at school for her 21st birthday and we have been together ever since. From nervously holding hands at an ice rink to getting engaged, it has been a long and winding road to get where we are now, but we couldn't be happier to have found each other and to be spending the rest of our lives with one another.

Towards the end of February 2019, many exciting events were taking place. Ellyn’s birthday and our 5 year anniversary. With plans to have a romantic dinner Friday night then spend the day together in NYC Saturday celebrating, it seemed like the perfect storm for Ellyn to convince herself that Keegan was going to propose on Friday. After spending all week overanalyzing all of Keegan’s movements, Friday had finally come. Ellyn came home from work to find Keegan home early. The moment had finally come! Ellyn dropped her bags and ran up the stairs to greet him, anxiously awaiting for him to pop the question. Keegan declared that he was home because he had a surprise. When Ellyn eagerly opened her eyes, she did not find Keegan on his knee. Instead, he gifted her a pet fish she had been wanting. It was clear that Keegan would not be proposing. Wanting to enjoy their time together in NYC, Ellyn pushed the idea of a proposal out of her mind. Without noticing Keegan’s anxious behavior and the fact that he was taking her to all their old date spots from past years, Ellyn looked forward to dinner at her favorite restaurant in Hoboken, City Bistro. Once back in Hoboken, Keegan walked Ellyn down by the water to overlook the city skyline. There Keegan dropped to one knee and FINALLY asked the all important question! It was the first time Ellyn had ever been speechless. Once arriving to City Bistro, Ellyn was surprised by all her friends and family to celebrate the engagement. The night felt surreal and the perfect start to the rest of our lives together!