We met in the summer of 1998 at Chesterton High School's speech + debate camp. Dorky? Maybe, but hey, we'll take it!
Mr. Kelly had assigned us to do a duo together called "The Funeral." I was the grieving widow and Joe was a crazy old man who rode the bus with my departed husband to and from work everyday. We won the first tournament we performed in. Yeah, we were that good :)
Throughout high school we remained friends. We hung out and chatted, but never anything more than that. Joe always hinted that he wanted it to be more, but it never happened.
Then college. There were many late night phone calls. We stayed in touch, and I even visited Joe at Indiana University for Little 500 Weekend every April. Joe continued to say we'd end up together. Riiight.
In December 2007, while I was visiting my dear friend Kate in Philly, I got a late night phone call from Joe. He said he was joining the Army. I was surprised but supportive. It sounded like he had a plan and knew what he wanted- and I was happy he was pursuing something he really believed in.
While Joe was in bootcamp, we wrote letters to each other. When he finished and began his training in Georgia, we started talking on the phone. And then we were video chatting. And talking on the phone. all. the. time.
So I made a decision. I was going to go visit him in Georgia. The entire nine hour drive down there, I was so nervous. Where was this going?
I met up with him and some of his buddies at a local bar near Fort Gordon. As my cab pulled up, I saw Joe, pacing. He looked nervous, too. I got out of the cab and got the most incredible hug from him. He took my hand and introduced me to all his friends. And then I knew. Not only was there chemistry, but this is it. Like, it it.
At this point, Joe still didn't know where he would be sent after his training. Many of his friends had received orders to South Korea. I was worried. Could I really handle a long distance thing?
And then I got another call. He had his orders. He was to be stationed at Fort Detrick in Maryland, only 30 miles from where I was currently living in DC. Only a small group were sent there. It was absolutely unreal.
Then I made a big decision. I decided to move from my beloved DC, my home of seven years, out to Frederick, Maryland. It was a huge deal for me. My friends thought I was nuts. And maybe I was. But it felt like the right thing to do. Thankfully, I'd never regret it.
Joe proposed on a very chilly night in January. He had set it up so that our good friends Kate + Nic would be there to celebrate (they're getting married three weeks before us!) and we had a wonderful evening. The next morning a special package from my parents arrived... they were in on it, too!
Wedding planning started right away, and now we're here, so close to June 19th!
We are so excited to share our special day with all of you. It will be a small group of our closest friend and family and we can't wait to celebrate!
