Michael and I first met on what I guess would be considered a semi-blind group "date." My coworker, Meagan (aka- Cupid), was well aware of my non-existent love life, so when she would take a break from the typical social worker stuff, she got down to business playing matchmaker. Meagan, who had known Michael from Penn State, shared some photos of him, and I instantly knew that I wanted to meet this guy. So Meagan made it happen! A few weeks later, it was all set up. One crisp, fall evening, I put on my best outfit and made sure my makeup was on point so I was ready to meet the man who would one day be my husband, while Michael slipped into his comfiest hoodie to have a relaxing night out with his college friends, knowing nothing about my existence. That night at the ever so classy Starters Riverport, Michael and I bonded over a love for The Walking Dead and Pickleback shots. Several group hangouts and many pickleback shots later, Michael and I finally decided to take it to the next level by going on a real date- just the two of us! The day before Thanksgiving, Michael and I enjoyed an evening out at my Alma Mater's annual bonfire, followed by dinner. At the time we didn't know that that night would be the start of our first tradition together, or that five years later we would be planning our wedding!

If you read the story above, you'd know that Michael and I made a tradition of going to the Easton Bonfire each year the night before Thanksgiving, as the anniversary of our first official date together. But this past November, Michael had something up his sleeve that would shake things up a little bit! I was driving home from work on Thanksgiving Eve, admiring my nails that I had just done for my cousin's wedding. I thought to myself, "this would be a great time to put a ring on my finger since my nails finally look half decent." Little did I know that thought would become reality just 30 minutes later. I arrived home, surprised to find Michael already dressed for our annual bonfire/dinner date. Then the surprises kept coming. I walked into the kitchen to find a beautiful bouquet of red roses and two adorable pictures of us- one from when we first started dating in 2012 and the other being one of our most recent photos together. Before I could even wrap my head around what was possibly about to happen, Michael was on one knee, speaking the most sentimental words about the life we have built together, our love for one another, and our future together. With that, I said yes, and he placed a gorgeous, sparkly ring on my just manicured hands! It was perfect, just like him!