In late June of 2014, we first met in the parking lot of First Encounter Beach in Eastham, MA. After declining Chris' invitation to join him at a friend's party later that evening, we went our separate ways. A week later Chris called and asked to take me to lunch. Rather than eating an actual lunch we opted for milkshakes and french fries in Wellfleet before going to hear some live music. Shortly after this Chris invited me to accompany him to a fisherman's banquet dinner- but there was a catch. I was asked to pick up Chris' car from his parents house and drive it to where he would be waiting for me after finishing up his work for the day. We had only met each other two times prior to this and now I had to meet his mom, and drive his car 45 minutes away. Why is he trusting me to do this was all I could think. But I did it. I got all dressed up and met his mom on the front steps of his house, and then got in his car and drove it to meet him at the banquet. We had an amazing night getting to know each other better; eating, laughing, and watching a classic Cape Cod sunset.

For the rest of the summer we continued to see each other and by the time I had to head back to Vermont for my sophomore year of college, what we thought might be just a summer fling, had turned into something so much more. Over the next 3 years we maintained our relationship at a distance of just over 300 miles. After many weekend visits and summers together on the Cape, saying goodbye to one another never got easier. In 2017 I graduated from college and moved out to be with Chris. For the first time in 3 years my arrival didn’t come with an impending good bye. Between Chris asking me to drive his car for our 2nd date, and continuing to grow our relationship at a distance, trust had become a strong and valuable theme to our love story. I knew I had found my person and that if we could make it through all of those years apart, we could do anything.

On a rainy Monday in February of 2019, we went for a walk on the beach where we first met. We hadn't walked very far when Chris paused for a second and turned to kiss me. At this moment I felt so loved and lucky. He completely surprised me when all of a sudden he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I think I went into shock a little bit because all I can remember is saying “Oh my gosh are you serious!?” over and over again. Truly the happiest, most surreal moment of my life so far. Of course I said yes and two days later we were off to celebrate our engagement together in Mexico.

The world quickly changed as Covid-19 became the unrelenting reality of our first year of engagement. But during this time, we learned how strong our love for one another truly is. We constantly talk about how grateful we are to have found a connection like ours. While no relationship is perfect or comes without challenges, Chris and I have truly found a best friend, a rock, and a lifetime of happiness in one another. We cannot wait to seal the deal and celebrate with our loved ones!