How We Met
Vinny and I met 8 years ago when we were at Quinnipiac University. It was only the second month of school so I was still very homesick, missing my family every day. Because my family missed me as well, they would come up to Quinnipiac to take me out to dinner a few nights a week. This specific night happened to be Halloween and I remember my mom saying to me, “come on, Riss – stay in with us – do you have to go out tonight?” I responded back with, “I can’t mom, mom – I am in college and it’s my first Halloween…yes, I have to go!”
That night, my roommates and I went out to one of our friend’s dorm parties dressed as Indians. I was sitting on the bed talking to my friend when I turned around and saw the cutest boy smiling at me. He asked me if he could sit down next to me. We started talking and he introduced himself as Vinny. I remember feeling immediate comfort like I knew him for my entire life. We sat together on the bed, talking and laughing like we’ve known each other for years. He finally asked for my number and then proceeded to tell me that he would text me every morning with a good morning text and every night, wishing me a good night sleep (and he has ever since!)
I had heels on that night and I remember asking Vinny if I was taller than him with my heels. He looked down at me and said: “no, you’re not taller than me, but are you asking me that for when we go on our first date, you can wear heels and still be shorter than me?” I responded with, “yes, how did you know?” He answered with “will you go on a date with me?”
We talked, laughed, and smiled for the rest of that Halloween night in 2010. He walked me back to my dorm room, holding my hand and wished me a good night. Since that night, we saw each other every day, went on our first date, and soon became boyfriend and girlfriend.
Vinny hasn’t just been my boyfriend and now my fiancé for the past 8 years – he’s been my absolute best friend.
How They Asked
Vinny’s birthday is on December 13th. This year, he told me that he wanted my family and his family to do the Escape The Room together and then all go out to dinner to a steakhouse. Our families are extremely close – my parents love his parents and vice versa. I truly couldn’t ask for better people in my life.
I was so excited that this is what Vinny wanted to do for his birthday. He told me he would plan it because he heard of a great place that recently opened up. We all met at the Escape The Room and started working together to find the hints and clues. We were in the room for about 45 minutes until we came to the last clue. Vinny told me to get the box and to put in the code that he was about to read off. The code was “LOVE”.
I quickly put it in while singing, “L is for the way you look at me…” As I was opening the box, Vinny unraveled a ring box in a maroon colored napkin, got down on one knee and looked up at me, saying “Schnooks, you’re my best friend in the entire world and I couldn’t have a greater birthday gift than to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” In complete shock with my entire body shaking, I responded, “YES” to the easiest question that I ever had to answer.
