Alicia and I met in the summer of 2013 during a gathering of friends at one of our closest friend Alyssa´s house. When I saw Alicia assisting the host with greeting the people showing up to the party with gifts ( I cannot confirm nor deny that those gifts were Beer Bongs and Fire Ball Shots) I instantly knew that I was in trouble. I knew right then I met the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She was filled up with so much energy and excitement that I could not look away. By the end of the party I tried to find her but I could not. I met with Alyssa to exchange numbers and asked to be invited to the next party. Lucky for me the next party was the following weekend. I showed up and sure enough Alicia was there. I did the best that I could to get her to go on a date with me and she turned me down.... not once, but three times. On the fourth attempt 2 weeks later she finally agreed. It just so happened that our first real date was on my birthday, we were extremely fancy and went to Chili´s on base. I was so nervous I ordered enough food for 2 grown men and I did not even touch it. All we did was talk, by the end of the night she agreed to a second date.  

- JD

After the first date I knew I wanted to see JD more. He was was smart, funny, and sweet. I really just enjoyed hanging out with him. Of course the summer flew by, and before we knew it JD was leaving for California and I was moving to Northern Virginia. We made it a point to see each other. He came to see me for while I was in grad school that fall. The fall seemed to move so slowly, but before I knew it, it was Christmas. I knew I wanted to spend it with him, and it would be a great time for him to meet my family. So I called him and told him that I was going to buy him a ticket. He agreed to come and spend it with me in South Carolina. That Christmas was wonderful with him and my family and from there the rest is history. 

- Alicia

As many of you know Alicia and I spent most of our relationship in Alexandria VA. It is one of the most beautiful cities we have ever lived in. We lived in an apartment that overlooked the Potomac River. On the other side of the Potomac was an extremely large Ferris Wheel that lit up the night sky and towered over all of the surrounding buildings. We always commented on how beautiful and majestic it was when we drove by it. This Ferris Wheel became a subtle staple in our relationship. On September 2nd 2017 our great friend Ashley and her Boyfriend Matt were visiting us and wanted to go out to explore National Harbor where the Ferris Wheel resides. Its a fun shopping area that I knew the girls would like and it would be easy to get them both to go there if I offered snacks and drinks. After I lured the girls to National Harbor I instantly turned into a nervous wreck trying to hide my emotions from both of them so that they would not be onto my plan. I made the recommendation after drinks that we should go take pictures in front of the Ferris Wheel ( I never want to take pictures..... Alicia should have seen something coming.. LOL). After about 5-6 photos I unzipped my jacket and asked for just one more... at that moment I dropped to my knee, looked at Alicia and asked her to be my Wife. She looked at me with such shock and excitement. I have never seen her look at me this way before. I do not think she said yes or no but she slid the ring that I was giving to her onto her finger and her eyes began to have tears in them. I took that as a YES. Now we are here, we are more than excited to start this journey with you all.

- JD

We are so excited to share our special day with our family and friends from all over. We know that you all will be coming from near and far