Our lives have run parallel since the start. We were born 3 days apart in the same hospital... our bassinets were practically next to each other in the hospital nursery. We met for the first time in elementary school. We went to the same middle and high schools. We liked each other at different times during school - but never at the same (or right) time, so we never dated. Going our separate ways after graduation, we carried on with our own lives; periodically catching up through Facebook as nothing more than friends.

Years later, of course things changed. After we each went through some difficult life events, Jen was out searching for her neighbor's dog one evening. Joel, having recently moved back to town living one street over, offered to come help in the search. We talked while searching - and in the weeks that followed became better friends than we'd ever been before. Joel asked Jen out on a date - and it didn't take long to realize what we had found was really special. Since then, we can both say we’re happier than we ever knew was possible - and the time has flown by.

On October 26th, 2019 Joel pulled off the surprise of a lifetime. Taking a day trip to Biltmore Estate (one of our favorite places), Joel arranged for a private, full access tour of the massive home. He planned to propose that day - but even as we walked through this amazing house - he still couldn't decide where or when he wanted to ask… or what he was going to say. At the end of the tour we walked back by the Winter Garden and he asked the guide if we could go back inside for a selfie since we didn't take one earlier. The guide let us behind the velvet rope again. Once inside we take the picture and Joel then tells Jen she looks beautiful but needs another accessory… and gets down on one knee!

A visitor at the estate happened to catch the big moment when she was taking a picture of the garden. She didn’t even notice a proposal was happening until after she’d taken the picture. It was purely coincidence. She sent Joel & Jen the copy and it is the only photo we have of this perfect moment.

We’re each other’s best friend and biggest fan. We would rather spend time with each other than anyone else in the world. And here’s to a lifetime of it staying that way!