If you are here, then you probably know this story, but there is definitely always cause for retelling tales of romance and true love! Let me start back a few weeks before August 7, 2020 though to give you the full picture of where we both were at mentally.
Brittany thought she knew it was coming, but for the life of her, could not figure out how and when. Just a few weeks prior to The Proposal, she was on the phone with her Aunt, trying to grill her for information she might know. Aunt Debby acted clueless. Little did Brittany know, her aunt then went back to Jeff and was like "No more putting around! She knows somethings up and you got to get your butt in gear!"
Little to Brittany's knowledge, Jeff had already had a ring in the works. Working with Antonio of Ancona Jewelers right outside Chicago, Jeff had created Britt's forever diamond. The day that diamond was delivered to their apartment sticks out in Brittany's head now, knowing the back story, because it was one of the rare times Jeff left for the gym but came back up to get something he "forgot". In actuality he had grabbed the diamond from the concierge before Brittany got the "You've got a Package" update! He dropped it somewhere safe and went to the gym, for it not to be brought back out until.......
Friday August 7, 2020 | Jeff and Brittany were looking forward to a weekend with Britt's family celebrating her Aunts birthday in Las Vegas. It was something she had looked forward to for weeks. They landed Friday about midday and lucked out in being able to check into their room at the Encore early. Jeff was nervous carrying that ring thru security, devising a back up plan if they were to make him take it out. Luckily it was able to remain safely in his pocket.
As they got settled in their room, Brittany was so excited that she missed a white envelope with their names on it sitting on the desk. Jeff pointed it out and upon opening Brittany saw her Aunt and Uncle had gifted them a gondola ride at The Venetian for 2pm. Kinda strange as Brittany definitely would have enjoyed just staying at the pool with her family, but thoughtful nonetheless. They put on swimsuits and headed down to the pool where her family had a cabana to hang for the next hour before the gondola ride.
As that time inched close, the rest of the family started talking about the behind the scenes gondola ride they were going on. Now it made sense. Britt's Uncle Johnny didn't realize they would be in Vegas so early on a Friday so he had mistakenly left them off the behind the scenes tour. To make up for it, he had gifted a gondola ride for the same time so at least they would walk to and from together and not leave them behind at the pool.
Everyone started to get out of the pool to get ready to walk over and Jeff looked at Brittany. All he had to say was "I have to go to the bathroom first" knowing she'd ask no questions and walk up to the room to wait on him. As he "pretended" to use the restroom, Brittany started to freshen up (like Jeff knew she would). He then suggested taking a cab over so they wouldn't be late. Brittany was wanting to walk, but went with the flow. Secretly jeff was preventing both of them being a sweaty mess.
When they arrived at The Venetian, neither had any clue which way the Gondola rides were. Brittany asked the bellman and he said there were two options for the starting point: right next to the front door outside there was a loading point or there was another inside the Venetian up an escalator, down a hall, around a corner, yada yada,...as those instructions kept going Brittany decided outside sounded better and started to head that way. Jeff protested - saying it was too hot and he would rather be inside. This is an important moment because it was when Brittany first realized something weird was up. Jeff knows she's a sun baby who will always prefer outside over being indoors and Jeff, being the great boyfriend he is, never has a problem with it.
Brittany followed Jeff inside and they went in search of the indoor Gondola loading spot getting awfully close to that 2pm time. After asking several employees and only one wrong turn, they finally found it. As they stood in line to load up, one of the employees asked Jeff to come with her to sign the consent forms. Another important moment as this also was super weird. Brittany started to follow to sign her forms and was told it was unnecessary. Jeff could sign for them both. As Jeff was inside filling out forms, Brittany made small talk with the staff at at the loading point. She mentioned how the rest of their family was doing the behind the scenes tour and asked if that was pretty cool. The staff member had no idea what she was talking about and Brittany chalked it up to part time, home for the summer, help. Jeff returned and they got loaded up. As the boat started to ride along the water, Brittany heard a familiar song start to play. It was a song that was special to her and Jeff - she realized it was coming from his phone and then she started to sweat. Jeff started to talk about how he had been looking forward to this weekend and how much he appreciated Brittany. As he spoke, Brittany started to put the pieces together, but still couldn't believe it. Finally Jeff whipped around and got down on one knee. As he asked Brittany to marry him, it wasn't lost on her that he referenced her favorite movie romance of all time - Rocky and Adrian. Of course she said yes and then heard familiar cheers from the overhead bridge. Her family stood there making it even more special. Jeff and Brittany finished out their ride as a newly engaged couple, took photos together and with the family, then went and celebrated one on one over pizza and champagne. The Perfect Moment.
How we met is such a great example of what is meant to be will find its way. Brittany's girlfriend was home for Christmas in 2012 and they met up to grab dinner. Brittany was single and her girlfriend was attempting to set her up with a guy she met up in Pittsburgh a few weekends back. Brittany, not seeing the sense in encouraging a long distance set up, was not having it. Yet, somehow she was convinced to accept a friend request from some guy in Ohio (sit tight, its not what you think!). Over the next couple months, this guy really put forth the effort to get to know her and so when he mentioned he was coming down to visit a friend and said they had extra tickets to see Luke Bryan in Athens if Brittany was able to go. She quickly accepted. As the weekend of the concert (and visit) approached, the guy mentioned that his friend wasn't able to pick them up because he had to work late so would Brittany mind scooping them from the Atlanta airport. Keep in mind, its 2013 - Uber was not available like it is now lol. Brittany was hesitant but felt bad. She decided if she brought one of her guy friends along, she would be more comfortable with it and agreed. The task was easy, pick up at the airport and meet at a restaurant in Midtown to hand them off to their local friend. That local friend who walked thru the doors of The Vortex was Jeff. Brittany was immediately interested.
The next time Brittany saw Jeff was at the concert, two days later. While tailgating, Jeff brought out a football to play catch with the guys. Little did he know, Brittany' college nickname was "Mandy Moss". As she played long toss with him (bud light in hand I might add), Jeff immediately fell in love.
The two spent the rest of Saturday hanging out, laughing, and dancing to Luke Bryan. The rest, as they say, is history.
The two instantly hit it off.