Our story began fittingly at a wedding!

I was a groomsman in my cousin’s wedding and Rikki was a guest to the wedding. I didn’t expect to find love that night being as shy as I was but she had enough confidence for the both of us.

She asked me to dance and it took a slap in the chest to realize that I was sitting awestruck at my future wife before finally answering yes. This trend continued through some relationship checkpoints (she kissed me first and told me “I love you” first). I asked her for one thing, to let me be the one to ask her to marry me.

Fast forward through all the trips back and forth to see each other (she lived in Collegeville 2 hours away from Scranton), trips to the beach, family gatherings, and the trials of Covid, the day came where I was ready to propose to my best friend.

A manicure and pedicure in the morning followed by a paint and sip session painting her favorite flower, a sunflower. I swapped out my painting for a “will you marry me?” sign and she was the one that was awestruck asking “is this really happening???”. She said yes and now we are planning our own wedding after having met at one!

I couldn’t have found a better partner to continue this journey through life with. She challenges me to be a better version of myself everyday and I’m so thankful for that as it’s given me more confidence than ever. I know one thing. I will not be as awestruck on the alter as I was years ago when a beautiful girl asked me to dance. My answer to her will always be YES.