The first time we were introduced was brief. It happened to be at Jeff's mom's house (Casa Valerie!) in Puerto Vallarta on spring break during our senior year at BC. With about a month left of school, we had our 'first date' during 'open to close' at MaryAnn's. Jeff and I escaped the dungeon of MaryAnn's to get some food (the tuna fish in the vending machine wasn't going to cut it). We went to a sushi restaurant across the street and had a great dinner. We were the only ones in the restaurant doing sake bombs, but we didn't care, we were having fun. After that night, we pretty much saw each other everyday until graduation. Even when Jeff showed up at Commencement ball wearing a pastel blue Dumb and Dumber suit complete with a top hat, I managed to still find him handsome :) Now five years later, we couldn't be happier!

Jeff and I had plans to go out to one of our favorite restaurants, Sorellina, to celebrate the end of my first semester of grad school, which happened to coincide with the end of my busiest time at work. I got home from work that night and in typical fashion, I was running late. When I walked into my bedroom, there were two new dresses laid out on the bed along with jewelry, a new purse and shoes. Jeff had also left me a sweet note which let me know a car would be coming at seven..."don't be late!!" So I sprinted about in order to to be ready on time all while the reality of the night started sinking in.

At 7:04 (it's not late if it's under 5 minutes...), I walked outside and there was a stretch limo waiting for me. The driver, Kevin, greeted me, offered me champagne, and let me know it would be about a 30 minute drive. I wasn't sure where we were going, and with minimal battery left on my phone, I was left to my own thoughts and observations (terrifying). As we were pulling into BC, Kevin announced that we had arrived at our destination. Jeff was standing there waiting for me (nearly frozen) and I couldn't stop smiling as I walked to meet him. We walked a little while until we were in front of Gasson Hall. He stopped and said how the last five years have been the best years of his life. Immediately, I started tearing up. When he got down on one knee there was no hope; I couldn't hold it back. I was just crying and saying yes and hugging him, completely lost in the moment. We then heard people yelling congratulations to us from inside Gasson Hall. That pulled me back to reality and I then started hearing the clicking of a camera. Not even 20 feet from us was a photographer Jeff had hired to capture the moment. It was all so surreal and magical, and it was the perfect place for our proposal - the place where we started our relationship nearly five years ago.

After taking some photos, we went back to the limo and headed to dinner, which was at Sorellina after all. In the middle of dinner Jeff gave me an envelope with two train tickets to NYC for the next morning. We were going down for two days. He had already contacted my work to ensure I got Monday off! (Seriously, he thought about EVERYTHING.) I was so excited, but the only problem was I realized I wasn't going to see my sister before escaping for the weekend! Jeff and I were heading over to Top of the Hub to listen to some jazz music and keep celebrating. I was begging my sister to come meet us, but she kept ignoring me...When we got to Top of the Hub, the waitress brought us to the lounge. My eyes were only focused on getting a table by the window. Then I saw someone waving at me - my parents and sister were at a table waiting for us, and I began crying immediately again! We had a great time at Top of the Hub and it was the perfect way to top off the amazing night. The next morning we were off to NYC and had a great day in the city. Before dinner we went up to the rooftop bar at our hotel. Jeff took me around to the couches, and waiting for us was his brother and sister-in-law! The surprises were nonstop! I realized I hadn't stopped smiling since I first got the note from Jeff the night before. I think I was even smiling in my sleep. It was the most perfect proposal and and wonderful weekend spent celebrating with our families.