One might ask how a bachelor living in a small Virginia town and a city-girl from Illinois happen to cross paths and fall in love. It begins with a swipe. Not at a smelly college bar, not with a perfectly timed gaze into each others eyes and not with a cheesy pick-up line. Online. On our phones. What did you expect? We're both introverted millennials and the digital lifestyle is so ingrained into our systems that at this point, our blood is comprised of zeros and ones. Our conversations overflowed with our love of 90s cartoons and sports. We did eventually put down our devices and met at a local cupcake shop. There's no better way to get comfortable with a person than to stuff your face with cake and frosting and still try to make a good first impression. It all happened by chance and luck, but it created a bond that will last forever.

Five years had passed since we first met for cupcakes. We thought it was appropriate to celebrate with a weekend getaway. Off to Charlottesville and the Boar's Head Resort we went. Everything was perfect from the fantastic food, the shopping and a lovely winery tour. On the final day, after we had packed our bags and prepared to head back home, I asked Sam if she would like to take some photos together to commemorate our milestone. I grabbed my gear and we headed down to the beautiful lake on the property. After setting up and trying a few different poses, I asked that we try taking a shot facing each other and holding hands. I set the timer and walked over into position. Instead of grabbing her hands, I reached into my pocket, pulled out the ring and got down on one knee. She said yes (duh).