I can remember the excitement I was feeling on June 15, 2011 as I was on my way to The University of Akron for my freshman orientation. Will I make friends? Will I like my dorm? Will I fit in? Never did I think I would meet my future husband! Eric being one year older, was already an Akron Zip and super involved. During my orientation there was a point where the parents and students separated for different presentations. It was after lunch and my parents had to go to their meeting a few minutes before mine started. They left me in the dining hall....sitting by myself. Anyone who knows me, knows I love my alone time. I was perfectly happy to have a break, sit by myself, and get ready for the next part of the day. It wasn't 2 minutes after my parents left me that one of the leaders came over to ask me to sit with him and his friends. Really!!?? Of course I said yes ( I didn't want to be rude). Can you guess who told the leader to go over and ask the "freshman" to sit with them? Eric! So I sat with them, we talked, and then went to our next presentation where Eric was presenting. First thing I noticed about Eric....his sense of humor. The day went on, I stuck around Eric and then he met my parents. Ha! Day one and he already met the rents. I'll never forget my car ride home that day. I remember filling in my parents about what I learned about Eric. I couldn't stop thinking about him and everything we talked about. I admired how he was so knowledgable and hard working . Later that day we became Facebook friends, lol! He started messaging me and that summer we soon found out he was going to be the RA in my residence hall. Coincidence? I think not. Flash forward to move in day. The first person I see as we pull up with our car packed with clothes and dorm decorations....Eric. My heart beating a million miles an hour. So nervous. Those first few days of freshman year I will never forget. Eric and I instantly became best friends. He walked my roommate and I around the whole campus to show us where our classes were. We would hangout in our dorm room, eat pizza, and just laugh. I started feeling like Eric meant more to me than a friend. BUT I did not want a boyfriend my freshman year of college. I just wanted to do my thing and focus on myself. I was stubborn, I am sure Eric can attest to that. He tried so hard to make our relationship move forward, but I ignored it. It wasn't until my two childhood besties, Brittani and Ashlee, came to visit me at school. They told me they loved Eric and said "Car, I really think you and Eric are meant to be." It took me some time, but I could not hold back my feelings for him any longer. One night, Eric, being the best friend that he is, came to pick me and my friend up from a party. I think my heart was about to explode because I could not keep my feelings in any longer. I kissed him in the McDonald's parking lot.....so romantic!!! From then on our love continued to grow and we have supported each other through all our highs and lows. On February 19, 2016 we went to dinner at Legacy Village where we had our first "date." As we were walking from dinner to the bar to meet our friends, Eric got down on one knee and asked me the best question of all, "Will you marry me?" Of course I said YES...I've been ready since the day we started dating! I knew Eric was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with very early on in our relationship, so I couldn't wait for him to ask me to spend the rest of our lives together! On July 22, 2017 we will make it official. I can't wait to call him my husband and continue on this journey of life together!

Thanks for reading my love story!

xoxo, Carli

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mentor (Lamalfa Conf Centre)