It all started in 2019 at a summer job, Whelen Engineering Company. Ironically, Ben and I had been working at the same company during the summers for 2 years before I decided to switch departments. Without knowing it at the time, the best decision I’ve ever made!

The week before I started, I went in for a tour of the department. I noticed Ben almost immediately and tried not to make eye contact with him (I would have exposed myself with burning hot red cheeks)... but this turned out to be a spark on both ends. After I left, Ben asked “is that our summer help?” with the famous Ben smirk.

** Setting up the scene** Ben and I worked in different areas of the same department. He worked in packaging lights, and I was on an assembly line in the back of the room. Ben would pass me frequently when bringing packaged boxes to the shipping area. During the first week Ben noticed I was wearing a UNH sweatshirt and (while bringing a pallet of packages) stopped in front of me and mentioned that his friend also attends UNH and asked “Do you know her? Internally I was chuckling as there are 14,000 students but I went along with it anyway. Of course I wanted to talk to him too!

We officially started talking outside of work on June 21st, 2019… the day after we went bowling with a group of our co-workers. They are all definitely trying to set us up (you know who you are!!) Ben sends me a facebook message… yes you heard that right Ben slid into my Facebook DM’s (how slick). But it worked! I remember driving to my Dads the day after bowling, and telling Angelina that I knew this boy at work was going to message me… so of course I turned on my notifications for facebook (oh how did I know it would be facebook, either Ben is predictable or women are always right.. Lets just say it's both haha!)

This was the first summer I would wake up and want to go to work. I thought I was being sly by trying to get to work early enough to sit in my car until Ben showed up in the parking lot.. Just to look busy and pretend we got there at the same time everyday to walk in together. Of course Ben caught onto this and knew exactly what I was doing LOL.

We took our first trip together on Friday 08/02/2019 to go camping before I left for the summer. We went camping, to the most iconic place any Gilbo would go, Port Henry Beach (haha).

We officially started dating on August 23rd, 2019.

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Since the start of our relationship, we have been long distance:

- Husson University in Bangor Maine (Ben’s College) to UNH in Durham, NH (Joslin’s College) = 192 miles or 2 hours and 52 minute drive.

-Husson University in Bangor Maine to ACT in Thessaloniki, Greece (When I studied abroad) = 4,000 miles and a 7 hour time difference

-Ben’s first job as a Physical Education teacher at Molly Ockett to UNH= 68 miles or 1 hour and 20 minute drive.

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After graduating UNH in 2021, I decided to pursue my MBA online and join Ben in his adventure to lineschool down south. It was the first time we would be living together. My Meme described it perfectly “I imagine that what you see with Ben is how it is like living with him” and that was true. Surprisingly there was no adjustment period, we just meshed together so seamlessly. I will give a huge shout out to his mom, Stephanie, for teaching him how to put the toilet seat down! From our adventure in Georgia/ Alabama… we came back to New England with tans… and a furry four-legged Goberian boy named Finnegan. Also, the best decision of our lives!

Skipping forward to the summer of 2023, we are living in Essex Junction, VT (since 2022). At this point, I am relentless at sending pictures to him of engagement rings and telling my friends how I think he is going to propose every weekend (God bless your hearts.) On July 22nd, 2023 Ben finally popped the question at the sunset of Nubble Lighthouse with some special people His brother Zack, Amanda (our future niece inside of Mandy’s stomach) and our surprise guests my brother Seth as our photographer and our dog Finnegan! Leading up to this moment I did have suspicions... especially when I saw that my brother texted Ben about a flight. Oh, and when Ben suggested staying in a hotel instead of just staying with Amanda and Zack while we were in Maine (if anyone knows Ben, in all other circumstances, he would have never chosen a hotel over a free place to stay haha!) Little did I know, a surprise engagement party to follow with all my closest friends and family. Shout out to Sophie and Greg for hosting everyone at your house.

We are appreciative of all our family and friends that have been with us throughout our journey and supported us along the way. We love you all.

We are now more excited than ever to plan the most memorable day: 10/04/2025!

Registry

Your presence is the greatest gift of all, so please don’t feel any pressure! For larger items, we’d love and appreciate pre-loved treasures just as much as new ones ❤️With lots of love,The Tubbs

Your presence is the greatest gift of all, so please don’t feel any pressure! For larger items, we’d love and appreciate pre-loved treasures just as much as new ones ❤️

With lots of love,
The Tubbs