How We Met
Ian and I met at our local gym. I had just moved back home to Pennsylvania from Maryland and, even though I thought it was way too small, I joined the gym in our hometown.
On a December evening, I had just finished my workout and decided to go into the yoga room to stretch. I saw someone walk into the room but figured he was looking for something in there. Next thing I know, he’s walking up to me so I took out my headphones. He said, “I see you here a lot…” and I said “Yeah….” Then he says, “Would you like to go out sometime?” I was shocked, but it meant a lot that he actually came up to me and had the guts to ask, so I said yes.
We exchanged numbers, talked a little while longer (you know, the ‘where do you live’ and ‘are you from around here’ questions), and discovered our parents live 5 minutes from each other, we went to the same high school, and (the craziest one of them all) we have the same last name!
Our first date was at a restaurant called Talbot’s and it’s still our favorite place to eat.
How They Asked
July 4th, 2020. The most amazing birthday and Independence Day of my life!
Ian and I had planned to meet in the morning so he could give me my birthday presents. Our whole town ended up losing power (thanks to a squirrel) so he decided to wait until the power was back on to come over. About an hour later, the power finally came on and he called to tell me he’d be coming over.
Around 11 am, he comes over carrying presents and we go inside and start talking. Suddenly he says excitedly (and a little rushed) “Open your presents!” So I open everything and as I’m saying thank you and that I love everything, he said he had another present for me downstairs.
As we’re walking downstairs, I was wondering how he got a present down there because he came in the front door. Then I thought maybe he had my parents plant a gift there or something. I walk downstairs behind him and he turns around, grabs my hands, and says he loves me and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me – as he’s getting down on one knee. I’m pretty sure at this point, I lost it and started crying. Next thing I know, he takes a ring box out of his pocket, opens it, and asks me to marry him. I immediately said ‘yes’! Or maybe it was ‘of course’! Either way, it was the easiest question I’ve ever had to answer! (As this was happening, my Dad was peeking around the corner snapping photos. I had no idea!) It was the perfect proposal with just the 2 of us!