We grew up a quarter a mile away from each other but never crossed paths until one fateful night at Dos Rios Cantina. A mutual friend introduced us thinking we'd be a good match but as the saying goes it wasn't the right time or place (and there may or may not have been too much tequila involved)! Fast forward a few months later, Neal slid into my DMs, asking if I wanted to go on a date. I tried to be the "cool girl" and waited a couple hours to open it. After a gentle nudge from my maid of honor, I replied and we made plans to get dinner. Neal picked me up from my house and from the moment I stepped in his car until he dropped me off, everything was SO easy in the best way possible. The conversation, the laughs and the night flowed. We still laugh about the fact that Neal ate a meal prior to picking me up so I wouldn't get grossed out on night one on how much food that man can put away. All joking aside, almost four years later and that easy feeling hasn't gone away!

On January 29th, 2023 we had plans to go to the Reksc's lake house for brunch! It had just snowed the night before so we were excited for the winter scenic views. Little did I know, it would be the perfect backdrop for Neal's proposal. On the drive there, with our fur baby Reed in tow, Neal's sister called us saying she would be a little late but to let ourselves in. When we got there, Neal took my hand and dragged me down (I'm allergic to the cold!) to the dock to look at the frozen lake. Neal let go of Reed's leash and I turned my back to him yelling at Reed to get off the lake. I heard Neal say "Honey, look" and instantly knew when I turned around he would be on one knee. Turning around felt like eternity. Butterflies and all the happy emotions filled my body and I was right, Neal was down on one knee with the most beautiful, sentimental ring in hand. Neal told me how much he loved me and the life we've created together and asked me to marry him. The happy emotions I was feeling spilled out into what my friends would call "the running man dance". I screamed, ran in place and said "YES!". I then heard 3 of my besties screaming from the top balcony taking pictures and recording the whole thing. We celebrated with some champagne and then Neal told me we were heading back home to get ready for a party. At a local bar in the town we both grew up in, our closest family and friends gathered to congratulate us. Something that once again, Neal had thoughtfully put together. I love everyone that made it that night to celebrate our engagement! By 3:00 PM the next day, I had our venue and date booked because I CAN'T WAIT TO BE MRS. HARTMAN!