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OUR STORY
How IT BEGAN
We met in 2016 at James Madison University. What some might call a "blind date" was actually set up by mutual friends who connected us for a Valentine's Day function. As shown in the photo on the left, we had a fantastic evening (thank goodness, given that dates were required to be zip-tied together in true high-class frat-party fashion). After this event, we stayed in touch and remained friends for the following year. We enjoyed getting to know each other’s college friend groups and attending other JMU events together, as seen in the photo on the right. Although there isn’t a specific date when we officially became a couple, we’ve always considered it to be December 31st, 2016 (New Year’s Eve).
THE NEXT 7 YEARS
We both moved to Northern Virginia after college, initially living with friends for a few years before moving into an apartment in Old Town, Alexandria together in 2020. When we weren't exploring our new little town, we loved taking beach trips to the OBX, traveling, and spending weekends with our families and friends. Some of our favorite trips include Las Vegas, road-tripping along the Pacific Highway from San Diego to San Francisco, and exploring Italy on our first international vacation! At the beginning of 2022, we brought home Gary, a 10-week-old Boston Terrier who has brought so much love into our lives!
ENGAGEMENT
Our engagement took place on September 16th, 2023. We were visiting NYC after attending a wedding in Long Island, NY, the night before. Jake had planned a fun day in the city, including a food tour of Chinatown, a walk through Central Park, and drinks at the Plaza Hotel. As we strolled through Central Park, we came to a clearing by the lake where Jake popped the question! Erin was also surprised by her sister and friends, who helped make the setup and surprise possible. We took engagement photos in Central Park and celebrated with bubbly at the Plaza Hotel. That evening, we enjoyed dinner and drinks with our friends and family at an Italian restaurant in the West Village. It was a magical day in our favorite city that we will never forget.
Currently
Summer of 2024 we relocated to Charleston, SC. We are looking forward to this new chapter and exploring the beaches, Southern cuisine, and everything the Lowcountry has to offer! On November 23rd, 2024, we will make our marriage official in a small family ceremony at White Point Gardens, located at the tip of the Charleston peninsula by the waterfront. In the summer of 2025, we look forward to continuing our celebrations by hosting a marriage celebration for friends and family in the romantic city of Positano, Italy. We are so excited for the new chapters and celebrations to come!
