Ben and I met while attending Pennsylvania College of Technology. Even though we attended the same college for several years, we actually met on a dating app. We talked for about a month prior to meeting because Ben was home in New Jersey on winter break. We agreed to meet up once he was back in Williamsport for the spring semester. A few days before the new semester began, we met at Starbucks for coffee. Prior to meeting him, my sister had to push me out the door because I was so nervous. Little did I know that I would be meeting my future husband that day. Once I actually met Ben, I realized I was nervous for no reason because talking with him was super easy and natural. Nothing felt forced and I was really happy to finally meet him. After having coffee (or in my case a milk based drink since I don’t actually like coffee), we went out to dinner for pizza. When our date came to an end, I was nervous again because I was not sure if he would want to go out again so when I went to leave I tried to jump out of his truck after I quickly said goodbye, which surprised him. He asked if I could at least give him a hug before I left which I did. To my delight, we went out several times after that and officially became a couple four days later. Within a few months, Ben was due to move to Maryland for a job he had accepted prior to meeting me and I was nervous about what that would mean for our relationship. However, once he was living in Maryland for a few months, he asked me to move in with him. Although it was going to be a life changing experience, I never thought twice about it and immediately said, “Yes!” We have been happily living in Maryland ever since.

Ben and I were going to Stephens State Park in Hackettstown, New Jersey for a picnic or so I thought. When we arrived at the park, I was pointing out a house that was in the park and Ben was worried I would recognize some of the cars parked near the house because they belong to our families so he tickled me to distract me. I thought it was odd that he randomly tickled me, but never really gave it much more thought. Once we got to the park, we went down by the river with the food we had picked up for the picnic. Ben told me he had to use the restroom so I sat down on a park bench with the food waiting for him to come back. Instead of using the restroom, Ben went to his truck. I saw him go to his truck instead of the bathroom, but he claimed the bathrooms were closed. He asked me to stand up and requested that I not hate him. Then he turned me around and our families were standing on the bridge. Immediately, I was very confused and surprised. My mother and grandmother had been in New Jersey the day before celebrating Ben’s mother’s birthday, but I thought they had gone home. I turned back around to where Ben had been standing and he was down on one knee. Before Ben could even ask me to marry him, I grabbed the ring and put it on my finger. Yes, I was a little impatient and super excited and surprised. Ben stood and hugged me. He also asked if that meant I would marry him. I said, “YES!”