HOW THEY MET:

Natalie and I met online! We both had been using the dating app Hinge for a while with no luck. Natalie was actually on a travel nursing contract in Maine when we matched, but had her location set back close to home since she knew we would meet (at least that is the story I will tell!). We both were eager to meet when she got home for good and I scheduled a date as soon as I could! Ever since we met we have been so sure the wait was worth it and the rest is just details as long as we have each other.

PROPOSAL STORY:

I proposed to Natalie on a hike near a waterfall in Maryland on her birthday weekend. I wanted to surprise her, so when I told her not to do her hair or nails because we would probably get sweaty during the June hike, I think I threw her off the scent! It was such an intimate moment, I asked a stranger to take a photo of us on top of the waterfall and when I handed her my phone, I whispered to take a video because I was proposing. Every stranger around celebrated us like we knew them, it was so awesome. For our wedding, we decided to stretch it out. We got married in our Catholic parish at home on a Wednesday night with only our family in attendance, and a few weeks later, did a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico! We had an absolute blast and it was the best of both worlds having something so special, calm and intimate at home, and being able to celebrate for a whole week in paradise. I would recommend to anyone!

THE RING:

Her engagement ring is a 18kt yellow gold band and 1.5cts round solitaire diamond and her wedding band is also yellow gold with 11 round diamonds. My ring belonged to my late father for over 31 beautiful years of marriage to my mom. I am blessed to be able to proudly wear it and hopefully continue the amazing momentum this ring symbolized already in my life!