How We Met
Our love story is my favorite.
In 2017, I spent my last semester of college touring graduate schools. At the recommendation of my boss, I visited her alma mater at Bowling Green State University. On the first night of the interview weekend, current students hosted a Cookie Jar social. As a seeming woman-dominated industry, it was to my surprise when this (attractive) man approached me as I was perusing the variety of delectable cookies. Cory introduced himself as a first-year in the program and we shook hands (fate just entered the chat). Since it was Super Bowl Sunday, we watched Lady Gaga perform and talked about our career aspirations. After this night, I never saw him again…
Not until the following week, when his name popped up as a Facebook friend request. We kept an online acquaintanceship, occasionally liking each other’s posts and photos. I pursued my dream school at The University of Central Florida in Orlando and went on my way. Over a year later, the Facebook status that changed it all appeared on my timeline. Cory had accepted a new job at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Being the Midwesterner that I am at heart, I commented on his status, with zero intentions, and said, “if you ever need a tour guide to Disney World, let me know!” So bold. A few months passed, and I liked another status, this time with him asking someone to go see Dierks Bentley. Cory promptly messaged me and asked me if I wanted to go. I told him that I had to work that weekend, but that we would have to find something else to do.
Many Snapchats, texts, and phone calls later, we started to spend more time together, visiting new places, and finally, he asked me to be his girlfriend. During one nightly FaceTime, Cory said he would follow me wherever I moved next after graduation. I said I didn’t believe him. He tells me now that at that moment, he already knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. We moved to North Carolina together 6 months later and it’s been magic ever since. I have never been so happy to be proven wrong.
How They Asked
For Cory and I, our happy place is none other than the happiest place on earth: Disney World. From our 3rd date to our 30th, seeing the castle and watching the fireworks became our safe haven. For my 27th birthday, we planned a trip to Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival. My parents and sister live in Michigan, and since we were planning another trip with them, we invited them along.
I fully expected this weekend to be filled with fun, food, and fate, as I was also fully expecting to get engaged at our favorite place. I picked one dress out of hundreds, packed my sparkiest ears, and the perfect ‘I’m Engaged!’ manicure. Three weeks before our trip, I got an email from the UCF Football events director. As a season ticket holder, it said I won a private tour of the football stadium! After confirming it was legit, I scheduled my tour date for the weekend we would be there. How perfect!
The day was finally here. Hair curled, dress on, finger ready for its plus one. Our trip to Epcot was magical and everything I hoped it’d be. As we walked out of the park at the end of the day, my left hand felt the same as usual: ringless. The following morning, we drove to UCF for the tour. Feeling excited, but also a little bummed, I got the most amazing experience any football fan could. We saw the locker room, and the VIP seats, and walked out of the tunnel onto the field.
Cory grabbed my hand and asked if I wanted to walk out to the center field. As we were walking, he asked me if I remembered our first date here. He started pointing out the places we sat, the Maui Wowi he bought me, and if I thought we’d be here together 3 years later. When we got to the 50-yard line, Cory got down on one knee and asked, “Katie Lynn Borza, will you marry me?” I was so surprised, tears overflowing, with my whole family there with me. I said yes, and when I turned around, there on the scoreboard, it said “SHE SAID YES” with a slide show of our beautiful life together.
Magic does not come anywhere close to that.