How We Met
Jesse and I went to Florida State University at the same time but never crossed paths even though we had numerous mutual friends and were at many of the same events. After graduating from FSU, Jesse moved to New York City for 5 years and I went to law school in Fort Lauderdale. After I passed the Florida Bar, I figured I would try my luck with online dating since many of my friends had success. I used the dating app, Hinge, where you are shown only people who have the same mutual friends. Jesse and I immediately matched and began talking. It took a few weeks until we went on our first date as I was a little hesitant to meet in person. After ample Facebook stalking, I decided it was time to meet. Jesse picked me up and we went to Las Olas Wine Bar where we enjoyed a nice bottle of wine and got to know one another. I had a backup plan in case things didn’t work out but the backup plan was not needed. From that day in we’ve talked every day and have now been together for 2 1/2 years.
how they asked
Jesse and I decided to book a trip to Italy for Christmas and New Years as I have never been. We love good food and good wine so there was no better place to go. We decided to go to Rome, Florence and Venice. On our last stop of the trip, we splurged and got a beautiful room at The Gritti Palace right on the main canal. The morning of December 31, Jesse said he wanted to walk around and visit the church that our room overlooked. We just window shopped our way to the church. Once we got to the church I started to feel a bit nauseous and I told him I wanted to take the water taxi across the canal to go back to the hotel. Jesse insisted we go towards the back of the church overlooking the Grand Canal but I was not having it. I started to walk towards the Water Taxi in hopes that he would follow and that’s when I heard him say “Chelsea Rose” and I turned to see him on one knee. I was in such shock that I said “Are you serious?!” After a second I said “YES!” As we were hugging I realized there was a photographer who captured the entire thing. Jesse had been in contact with her for a month and they worked together to find the perfect engagement spot. The photographer, Bea huge hug and whisked Jesse and I away for a photo shoot around Venice. After traveling around Italy for 10 days, I had ruled out getting engaged so I was completely surprised. To say it was a perfect engagement is an understatement.
