"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I'm with you."
Our Love Story- The Beginning
"You'll never find love until you stop looking for it "; one of the most cliché romantic idioms of our time...and that is exactly how our love story began.
​
When I lived in Rhode Island, Susan, Andrew's mom, and I used the same hairdresser. As stereotypical as it sounds, Susan and Chrissy began talking about Andrew one day, and Chrissy thought that Andrew and I might be the perfect fit!
She called me one day while Susan was in the chair and that was the start to our love story...
You work where?!
Coincidentally, Andrew and I worked in the same building for the same company, just one floor apart; our paths had probably crossed dozens of times without us knowing. We went on a date a few days after Chrissy called me and began seeing each other regularly shortly thereafter.
​
We would send each other tacky music videos and funny "memes" during the day and enjoyed connecting over craft beers after work. It wasn't long before we were planning our first road trip, we had no idea this would be just the first of MANY that would come.
​
A memorable moment in our early relationship was during a Project Engineering meeting that Brittany (one of my bridesmaids) and myself were guest speakers. Naturally, during my portion of the presentation, I made eye contact with Andrew in the crowd and completely blacked out. I stopped talking...in the middle of the presentation. This was one week after our first date and I was in denial that I was even that into him. To this day that is one of the most embarrassing moments of my professional career but don't worry, Brittany picked up the slack and completed our presentation.
The early days
Our first dinner date was at Cafe Vino in Johnston, Rhode Island, a BYOB Italian joint where Andrew showed up with a bona-fide wine bag containing a white and a red wine (because wine pairings are important to Italians). This was the first time Andrew met Kane and I've been third wheeling for them ever since.
​
In October of 2017, we moved in together and that's when Andrew learned about some of my more interesting quirks; I never waste coffee (I will drink that day old cup in the car), I hardly ever clean my truck (this makes Andrew cringe a LOT), and no one is ever allowed to put anything but water in my plastic cups (they'll never smell clean to me again and I will throw them all away).
The path to Virginia
We soon began dreaming of building a life together and we contemplated going someplace new that we could call ours.
One day at work I printed off black and white maps of the US and we privately colored each state red or green. That night we overlaid them and we just couldn't ignore the pull of Virginia; the more we researched the more we loved it. Virginia is for lovers after all!
​
In January of 2018 Andrew landed a job in Virginia and I approached my boss, Sue Klawans,to receive permission to work remotely. Once my lease was up we were bound for our new home!
Lena & Sassy & Hazel, Oh My!
May 25, 2018 Andrew and I celebrated 1 year of being together at my parent's annual Memorial Day Clam Bake. That weekend my parents informed us that they were not taking the horses when they moved to Colorado...and believe it or not it was Andrew's idea to bring Lena & Sassy into our home (not literally, they live outside).
​
Our time owning horses together has been full of bumps and trials, but has only proven to us that our commitment and partnership is steadfast in the face of hardship.
​
After losing Sassy in November we purchased a second horse, Hazel, with the extensive help of my Grandparents and our family-friends Bob & Dinah (because no one can have just one horse).
​
In May we up-sized again when Andrew brought home Cali (the dog) as an anniversary "gift" (because we didn't have enough animals to feed)...and she's been #BabyShark ever since. She earned her nickname rightfully and after roughly 5 minutes in her presence you'll know why! *nom nom nom*
The Engagement
September 1, 2019, we moved again! This time to Amelia Courthouse, a rural area outside of Richmond, Virginia (#ThisIsACH). The horses would be onsite with us for the first time ever, and so we embarked on another unknown adventure!
​
We had to put a serious amount of work into the 9 acre property in preparation for Lena and Hazel's arrival to the new homestead.
​
On September 28th, Andrew insisted that we load the horses and take a trail ride through Pocahontas State Park. It was a million degrees outside that day and the horses were less than enthusiastic about our activity choice, and honestly so was I. Andrew lead us about 5 miles to a lake overlook and said that we should rest the horses. As I took in the view, Andrew got down on one knee asked me to be his wife.
​
So here ends the tale of our yesterdays, no one knows our tale for tomorrow, but we are excited to celebrate our love and happiness with you all in beautiful Colorado!
