How We Met
Joe and I grew up in the same town. We went to the same elementary school and middle school. However, I really didn't notice him until middle school. We began "dating" in 7th grade, however that didn't last too long. He wasn't on the right basketball squad. After that we really didn't talk much for the next few years. In our sophomore we, we began to hang with the same group. Then the summer going into our senior year, something changed. I don't know what it was, but things were different. I could be myself, and not have to worry about what he thought. Things progressed slowly. In October of 2000 I got my acceptance into FSU and knew I was leaving the next summer. Joe didn't want to go to college and to be near me he enlisted in the Navy. For the first 5 years of our relationship we survived long distance and war. After 9/11 Joe was deployed overseas but thankfully he returned home safely. Following my graduation and his military enlistment, we moved back to Wisconsin. When I moved back, little did I know that I was about to have 11 more months with my dad. Joe was there with me through the toughest loss I've ever gone through (and still deal with on a daily basis). Since 2004 when he passed away, I got my MSW and Joe went to school to be a police officer. In 2009 we bought our first home. Joe said either a home or ring. I knew the market was right for a home, so I was being logical. However, 6 months later (and after our 10 year anniversary) things changed!
The Proposal
October 11, 2009
What I thought was a long awaited vacation together actually turned out to be a life changing event for our relationship. Joe and I planned a return trip to Florida to visit college friends and attend a FSU football game. On October 10 we attended the Georgia Tech vs FSU game. We didn't get to go around and get pictures done before the game, so the next morning we planned to go around campus and do that. Our first stop, we arrived at Westcott fountain. We were the only ones there. I asked my friend Concetta to take the picture of Joe and I infront of the fountain. When we were standing infront of the fountain, I asked her if we should be more off to the side...so Joe went from my right side to my left. I was looking towards the camera when I heard, "Babe"...I looked at Joe and he was on one knee...immediately I began to cry. Joe asked, "would you marry me?"...I'm still crying as I'm looking at the ring...and still crying...when Joe asked again...finally I was able to mange the single word YES!!!! We hugged and kissed. To great surprise, Concetta was able to capture this wonderful event on camera!!! Needless to say that in the following pictures around campus nothing could get that smile off of my face!!!
Joe and I grew up in the same town. We went to the same elementary school and middle school. However, I really didn't notice him until middle school. We began "dating" in 7th grade, however that didn't last too long. He wasn't on the right basketball squad. After that we really didn't talk much for the next few years. In our sophomore we, we began to hang with the same group. Then the summer going into our senior year, something changed. I don't know what it was, but things were different. I could be myself, and not have to worry about what he thought. Things progressed slowly. In October of 2000 I got my acceptance into FSU and knew I was leaving the next summer. Joe didn't want to go to college and to be near me he enlisted in the Navy. For the first 5 years of our relationship we survived long distance and war. After 9/11 Joe was deployed overseas but thankfully he returned home safely. Following my graduation and his military enlistment, we moved back to Wisconsin. When I moved back, little did I know that I was about to have 11 more months with my dad. Joe was there with me through the toughest loss I've ever gone through (and still deal with on a daily basis). Since 2004 when he passed away, I got my MSW and Joe went to school to be a police officer. In 2009 we bought our first home. Joe said either a home or ring. I knew the market was right for a home, so I was being logical. However, 6 months later (and after our 10 year anniversary) things changed!
The Proposal
October 11, 2009
What I thought was a long awaited vacation together actually turned out to be a life changing event for our relationship. Joe and I planned a return trip to Florida to visit college friends and attend a FSU football game. On October 10 we attended the Georgia Tech vs FSU game. We didn't get to go around and get pictures done before the game, so the next morning we planned to go around campus and do that. Our first stop, we arrived at Westcott fountain. We were the only ones there. I asked my friend Concetta to take the picture of Joe and I infront of the fountain. When we were standing infront of the fountain, I asked her if we should be more off to the side...so Joe went from my right side to my left. I was looking towards the camera when I heard, "Babe"...I looked at Joe and he was on one knee...immediately I began to cry. Joe asked, "would you marry me?"...I'm still crying as I'm looking at the ring...and still crying...when Joe asked again...finally I was able to mange the single word YES!!!! We hugged and kissed. To great surprise, Concetta was able to capture this wonderful event on camera!!! Needless to say that in the following pictures around campus nothing could get that smile off of my face!!!
