thank you for celebrating!

According to Shannon... We met at Roanoke College during Orientation when we landed in the same group, which automatically opted us into the same freshman required class. We became quick friends, and while we both had initial feelings and attractions - Drew admittedly more so - we remained friends throughout college.

According to Shannon... In May of 2018 I was visiting Andie (MOH) in NYC and to my surprise found out Drew would also be in The Big Apple the same weekend. We made a loose plan to meet up after brunch that Saturday. Meeting up at The Standard Bier Garden, we saw each other for the first time since 2015, so there was plenty to catch up on. Fast forward a few large beer steins later, and our group had an idea that we deserved free drinks, and the best way to get those would be if someone proposed. After some quick words, I turned to find Drew down on one knee! There were cheers, and looks of disbelief, so how else to sell it then with a kiss? This one, silly moment, turned this college friendship into so much more.

According to Drew... At the end of the work day on Friday, we went out on what Shannon thought was a date night at the Wharf (Southwest Waterfront in DC). I asked Shannon to go out on this date night one week before but little did she know I had been planning this night for the previous couple months. I told her that Andrew (the Best Man) and his girlfriend Shelby were also going out in the same area for dinner and we would meet up with them for a drink before our separate dinners. This was the best excuse I could come up with to make sure we got there before the sun went down. When we were in our Uber on the way to the Wharf, Andrew texted both Shannon and I that they arrived early to the Wharf and took a walk out on the pier on the water in front of Whiskey Charlie's and we could meet them there. This was of course a lie but it was where I had a photographer waiting for us. When Shannon and I arrived and walked out on the pier, Shannon was confused to not see Andrew and Shelby. I quickly grabbed Shannon's hands and told her how much I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I planned on saying a few more sentences that I practiced, but I totally blanked in the moment. I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me...for the second time. We got more pictures taken and some congratulations from other people out on the pier. We were both really emotional and adrenaline was pumping like crazy. We then walked down to the Brighton on the waterfront where Andie and Andrew (the Maid of Honor and Best Man) were waiting for us with beer and tequila shots to start celebrating. Shortly afterwards, we all walked over to Mi Vida for our dinner reservation and had both of our families waiting for us at the table. It was such a special night being surrounded by close friends and family. The next day, my sister and brother in law (Sus and Nick) hosted an engagement celebration for us at their house.