2016 had a pretty rocky start for me. My grandmother "Nana" had been suffering with Alzheimer's disease for several years. She and I were always inseparable, being that I was the favorite granddaughter and she was my everything. She raised me as an infant, she taught me to play the piano and we spent most of our time together. Once she got sick though, everything started to change for the worse.

Nana passed away rather suddenly on Mother's Day 2016. Although it felt like she was taken too soon, I had now gained a guardian angel who was always looking out for me. And this was proven to me a few months later, on July 9th, 2016.

After being on a waitlist for what felt like forever, I was finally offered a role in Special Events and Conventions at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. I was told that I needed to be there to accept the position within a week, so I quit my job, packed myself up and moved from Miami to Orlando to follow my dream of working for the Mouse. Turns out, Austin had just made a similar career move from South Carolina.

July 9th was the first day of orientation -- "Traditions" as it is called. On my drive to Disney University, I was so nervous that I didn't know anyone and wanted to make a good impression. So I said a little prayer to my guardian angel. I said out loud: "Nana, please watch over me today. Help me to make new friends and to gain the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Please Nana, help me through this and stay by my side". Only a minute or two after I finished, I looked out of my window to see a double-rainbow shining through the clouds as if she was saying "I'm right here!"

I was the first one in the room (too excited to contain myself). My table of 5 started to fill up one by one. And then Austin took the last seat in front of me. I'm not sure why or how I had this instant feeling, but for me it was pretty clear. Nana sent me my Prince Charming and it was love at first sight.

Our first dates were trips to the parks. Austin being the Disney newbie and me being the passionate Disney enthusiast, I was his personal VIP tour guide through the resort and we had a blast. It was on our date to Epcot a few weeks later that Austin formally asked me to be his girlfriend during the Illuminations fireworks show.

Here we are 2 years later, and Austin planned the most amazing proposal. Giving us the best of both worlds, Austin proposed on the beach of the Disney Vacation Club (yay Disney!) Hilton Head Resort (yay South Carolina!). It was a special day shared with our families full of smiles and excitement all around.

Now let the countdown begin as we plan the day we say "I Do"! And what better day to have our wedding than on the birthday of our guardian angel? We can't wait for you to share this special day with us!


With love,
The Future Spencer's