James and Amanda met through a mutual friend (the groomsman!) back in 2003 when they were both in other relationships. About a year later during the Fall semester, they had American Popular Music together. Amanda thought she recognized James, but wasn't quite sure. She then asked her friend, Lauren, to come to the class to see if it was him - it was! After that, they began sitting with each other and enjoying lunch together after class every week...over time, they became much closer and by the holidays, they were spending all of their free time together. They spent Christmas together and shared their first kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve.

On June 18, 2008, James surprised Amanda with a birthday dinner at Seigo's Japanese Steakhouse. When they arrived, Amanda's whole family and best friend were there - Amanda was so surprised! Throughout the dinner, Amanda did not suspect a thing - she thought the whole dinner was just a wonderful birthday surprise. Then, after dinner, the waitress brought specially decorated fortune cookies, but "forgot" Amanda's. Everyone read their fortunes which were all about love, life, and happiness. Then, the waitress brought the last one. Amanda doesn't like fortune cookies very much (but they have always been a long-running thing between James and Amanda) so she poked around at it until her mother said, "Well, are you going to read your fortune??" She opened it and read, "Amanda Porth - Will you marry me?" James got down on one knee and showed her the ring. She was so surprised and buried her face in James' chest for a big hug and a nod, yes!

What a perfect birthday!