How We Met
The summer after I graduated from college, I accepted a job with my sorority’s headquarters as a traveling consultant. Before heading off on a year of traveling to universities across the country, I went up to New York to visit my friends one more time. I went out in Hoboken with some of my friends and that’s when I met André. André hadn’t been planning on trekking out to Hoboken that night, but at last minute decided to hop on the train and join his friends as he had a hunch that if he didn’t he might miss out on something special. Our mutual friends introduced us, and we spent the rest of the night talking non-stop. By the end of the night, I knew he was the man I would marry one day.
After my weekend visit to New York, I went back to Pittsburgh and André and I continued to talk every day. We wanted to see each other again before I started my travels, so he took a nine-hour Mega bus ride out to Pittsburgh to meet my family and ask me to officially be his girlfriend. My family immediately loved him and after making him wait 24 hours for an answer I agreed to be his girlfriend and start a long-distance relationship.
how they asked
I have always been obsessed with weddings, so I’ve been dreaming about my perfect proposal for years! André’s heard me share adorable proposal stories and list off my proposal “criteria” including an important location to the couple, a ring, a speech, getting down on one knee and having a surprise photographer. Needless to say, he had high standards to meet and had his work cut out for him with making it a surprise, especially since we now live together.
Columbus Day weekend, I went home to Pittsburgh to visit my family, but André stayed in New York so that I could enjoy some family time. Saturday morning, my family and I headed to downtown Pittsburgh to take some photos before going to the Grand Concourse for my mum’s birthday lunch. We took the incline up Mount Washington, which looks out over the skyline of Pittsburgh, one of my favorite views. My dad started taking pictures of my siblings and me for our Christmas card.
Then, he asked to take some photos of just me so that he could practice for his photography class. He knew I wouldn’t mind since I like having my photo taken, unlike my siblings.
As my Dad was taking photos of me, André walked over from where he had been hiding behind some tourists. Immediately, I knew what was happening since why else would he be surprising me in Pittsburgh in front of my family.
I froze up and my body didn’t know how to react. I didn’t even show my surprise, but instead greeted hi with a happy, “Hi!” I just stood there shaking while André poured his heart out to me and got down on one knee.
I was in so much shock and excitement that I don’t quite remember what he said and instead of saying “yes” I said “thank you!” Then I put on the beautiful, perfect ring he picked out for me!
The tears finally came as I hugged my parents and siblings.
We then went back down the incline to call my aunts and uncles before enjoying champagne and celebratory lunch at the Grand Concourse.
I honestly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect proposal. It meant everything to me to be surrounded by my family in the city that I have always called “home” and where André first asked me to be his girlfriend. I am so excited to start the next stage of our life together as I get ready to become his wife!
