I was living in Florida at the time and Derek was living in Pennsylvania. Our best friends were getting married and decided we should go on a date and get to know each other since we were both in the wedding party. Little did I know, he would become the love of my life.

Derek said he planned a date for us and I was so excited that I drove straight from Florida for 18 hours, took a quick nap, and got all ready. We went to a delicious seafood restaurant and did a "wine and painting" event at a local shop. The entire time I could not stop smiling, he was everything!

From that very first date, we spent the rest of the summer together before I had to go back to Florida for my next year of teaching. He made a detailed itinerary with flights plans for us to fly back and fourth before I left. Every weekend was a mini-vacation of us getting to share new experiences. I knew he was the one and moved home after the school year. Now, I can not wait to call him my husband!