celebrate our marriage with us!

It was September 2017 and I (Emily) had just begun college at University at Albany. I was partying at a frat house when Quigley walked through the back door into the kitchen, dodging the holes in the floor due to downtown Albany's extremely classy and up to code architecture. His presence was similar to mine, an approachable social butterfly. We immediately began talking as if we had been buds for years. His friends properly introduced us soon after and that's when I noticed his dog tags (what a boot move hahaha). Once I realized he was a Marine I was even more intrigued - after all, uniforms have super powers. I soon found out he had transferred to a different school upstate and I would see him on rare occasions when he visited Albany. He always had a little place in the back of my head. I'd get excited if I knew he was visiting. Our vibes matched off the bat. But it was early years of college, I never thought I'd be MARRYING the guy. Little did we know, our paths would cross again and we'd become best friends (sorry Rondo) when COVID-19 came along. We both were too stubborn to call ourselves a duo until we finally caved. We clearly loved each other, but both had the hardest time saying that word for some reason... P.S. he said it first! Haha nerd. We even developed code words for love to avoid saying the actual word at first. At least we both had some weird underlying reason we couldn't admit something so serious. And I think it's great we both took that word for what it really means and not just for some obligatory reason. We lived together in Albany for a year and still denied being a couple (thanks Katie MacNeil for putting up with us). I think that's why we're so good together; we were best friends and let it happen on its own without any pressure. Did it our own way and have always communicated so well, so it all just fell into place. Next thing you know, we moved to Florida, living the dream and falling more in love every day!

Full disclosure, I knew the proposal was coming, I just didn’t know when or where. I had a feeling it was that day, and I never usually paint my nails because I treat my hands like a 40 year old male construction worker. I had work that morning so I quickly painted my nails and immediately smudged every single one. I told my manager I suspected what he was going to do and she sent me home early to fix my nails. I just took it off and said screw it. On December 19, 2021 we headed to the Navy Base to check out the lighthouse. After 177 steep sketchy steps to the top, huffing and puffing on a little platform he kneeled down… TO TIE HIS SHOE. I thought that was going to be the moment, but he got me. We walked back down and were headed to the beach, but he made a right turn towards Ft. Pickens instead. I thought, “alright, this has got to be it.” We go to see that Fort often because it’s awesome to walk around and it boasts a drop dead gorgeous sunset without fail. Once we were there, nothing. But I was still suspicious because the beach was our last destination. We got to the beach and headed to our favorite restaurant, which we go to every Sunday for rum buckets and sushi. After about half an hour talking to friends at the tiki bar the idea of the proposal eventually slipped my mind. Then my friend told me to turn around, and there he was, kneeling on the stage where the band usually plays. I ran a few yards to him and said “YES!” We celebrated with champagne and enjoyed some more time at the bar with friends :)