Welcome to Our Forever

It was the height of the Covid 19 pandemic and while I was working day and night in NJ, Carter was also working around the clock in CA. My sister had called inviting me to go camping with her and her family to Lake Havasu, AZ, and I was excited to take a week to step outside and bask in the sunshine; far away from the long hospital hallways, the isolation gowns, gloves, N95 masks and constantly ringing alarms. I knew I couldn’t survive a week with my sister, however, so I needed to think of a plan… I was reminded that my dear friends had a nephew who lived in CA, and he too, could use a break from the stress of the pandemic and happened to love camping and the outdoors. Convenient that he was a federal law enforcement officer and would be able to police any situations which might have arisen between two sisters who are known to quarrel. Reluctantly he agreed to join our spontaneous family trip to AZ with short notice. I can’t tell you if it was the cave man beard, the straw American Flag hat, or his west coast charm.. but over the weekend in Lake Havasu, AZ he won my heart. When the weekend drew to an end and he had to depart to CA and I had to go back to NJ, neither of us really said “goodbye.” Late night into early morning phone calls, destination meet ups, flying back and forth across the country enough times to earn Platinum Rewards Status… we wouldn’t have our love story any other way! Four years later we can’t believe a weekend on a whim led to the love of a lifetime <3

After having been to Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Alaska, and Hawaii twice together.. I wasn’t convinced Carter would ever pop the question, no less in Georgia.. and I was right, about the Georgia part atleast! Carter was working in Georgia when I flew down to spend Thanksgiving with him. We spent many lovely days together walking the picturesque beachy downtown streets and shops, collecting seashells on the coastline and sharing meals at local eateries. One night we went to a special beach in Florida to look for sharks teeth, but by the time we got there, the sunlight was almost gone. With the sun dipping low and walking along the coast there was a chill in the air. I was bundled up in many layers, looking like a marshmallow to stay warm, with a headlight on to help with the treasure hunt. The two of us walked down the waters edge finding gems for our shell collection and I would ask “what about this one?” Carter would inspect it under his headlight before giving it approval and putting it into our bag, or shaking his head no and tossing it back. Then he said “What about this one?” to me, and when I turned to look, he was holding open a ring box with a beautiful diamond ring, while down on one knee! Of course he would do it while I’m in my outdoor gear with a headlight on my head, it was totally in full Carter fashion! Fernandina Beach, FL has my vote for the best beach combing ever! (And yes, we did find a shark tooth!)

We shared our first date here together in the late summer of 2020! It is absolutely beautiful in the fall and we couldn’t think of a more special place to return to for our wedding!