When people hear that Chris and I have been together for just shy of 11 years the first words out of their mouths are "high school sweethearts....how did you make that work?" Well this is our story.....

Flash back to September of 2011 Brittney starts her first of day of Sophomore year in a public school and she is beyond nervous...she knows no one and doesn't know where anything is. She somehow finds her way to the music room because music appreciation was the last elective available and she had no choice but to take it. In walks this tall handsome curly haired Senior who Brittney instantly felt drawn too. For me it was love at first sight.. Chris on the other hand, thought I was "rude" (now a running joke between us) and didn't think this would be anything serious as he was on track to leave for the university of Maine after graduation! Boy was he wrong because now he's stuck with me! That night I went to my friends and told them I had found the person I was going to marry and immediately messaged him on Facebook and the relationship blossomed from there.

The thing about Chris and I is that we are two very awkward people who get through life by laughing and finding the positive in any situation we are in. Our first date is something we look back at and laugh about. Some times we even reenact it. Chris came to pick me up for a movie, Paranormal Activity to be exact, and he got lost on the way to my house. My sister's boyfriend at the time had to run down the street and find him. I get in the car (already anxious might I add) to find out his radio does not work. Now we have to fill the silence with conversation (yuck!) Next thing out of Chris' mouth is

"so....do you have any siblings?". Come to find out his brother is in my grade...no idea who this person was or that Chris even had a brother. Throughout the drive we start talking about our love for animals and how he has a black lab named Misty. I was so excited to meet her I just couldn't wait...after the movie we were able to stop by his house so I could meet her...little did I know his parents would also be home. So yes, I met my mother and father in law at our first date while they were basically asleep. Chris' Mom likes to remind me about how she didn't have her glasses or contacts in and didn't even know what I looked like! Like I said pretty awkward and silly first date.

When people ask us how we've made our relationship work throughout the years we also love to tell them that it is all about letting your spouse be their own person and grow. Chris and I grew up together and I think that for high school sweethearts sometimes it is hard because you grow to be two completely different people. Chris and I were lucky to have family that supported us as we also supported each other in our dreams. Chris left for the University of Maine just shy of a year into our relationship and his family was amazing at making sure I was able to go up at least once a month and be able to visit. Chris also surprised me a few times and was able to come home. After his first year he decided to transfer to Johnson and Wales and I thought the separation between us was finally over...I was wrong. Chris went on to do the Disney College Program and work at Mohonk Mountain House in NY before graduating. At first this was heart breaking to me. However, as I started college and also wanted to live my life to the fullest, Chris supported me in traveling, visiting family for months at a time and eventually doing my own Disney College Program.

It has been a crazy ride for us along the way! We have had so many wild adventures from sky diving, getting a dog, jumping off a building in Vegas, moving out of his parents...to then moving back in (thanks again for all you do Michelle & Craig). We are continuing to do crazy things like moving to California to start new careers and buying a house! We are so excited for this next chapter in our lives. We can't wait for all our friends and family to come together to help us celebrate this life we have built and are going to continue building!

**Please enjoy some throw back of Chris and I throughout the years and the photo of me running away when he proposed... :)

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