Our Story
Jeff and Erin have known each other since the Summer of 2006. It's been a wonderful journey and our love for one another grows with each new day. We're both very excited about what 2009 and a year of wedding planning will bring, especially since it's been almost three years in the making! Please enjoy sharing in some of our favorite moments below.
How we Met.
So... you're an artist? & They bailed!
I knew Jeff was the one for me the very first day we met. I was working at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and had noticed a particular ‘dark and mysterious’ looking guy and just had to find out who he was!
One sunny spring day, he finally introduced himself and started up a conversation. We talked for about twenty minutes and hit if off right away!
I was sold once I found out the he was an artist and got a sneak peak at some of his new work. I think he was interested when I told him I had a habit of attracting a certain kind of ‘energy.' LOL... it turns out that was the 'grumpy' kind :)
A couple of days later we ran into each other and he invited me to join him and his friends for some pizza at Nick and Nate’s in Sylva, NC. Of course I said I would be there! Once I got there, all of his ‘friends’ bailed and the two of us were left to finish dinner. Not wanting the night to end, we headed to Asheville for some "live Irish music."
We drove over an hour and talked the entire way. It turned out that once we got there, the band had never showed up for the gig. We made the best of it anyways, and enjoyed a pint of Guinness and listened to U2 over their sound system. We talked for hours and closed the bar…and as they say… the rest is history! That was the best summer of my life.
- Erin
I want to thank Dave Sanzo, Robert Green and Judy Aiken for leaving as soon as Erin showed up... I've never seen three people ask for to-go boxes so fast! If you guys had never bailed, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to really get to know Erin!
- Jeff
You Have to say "Yes" First.
The Proposal & So Sneaky...
On December 3rd, 2006 Jeff gave me the greatest surprise of all! A few weeks before, I had mentioned to him that I had always wanted to experience a candle light evening at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. It was a magical night and one that I will never forget.
We started with a romantic dinner at Carrabba’s with a couple of glasses of wine to help set the mood. After we made it over to Biltmore, we had to wait outside in line for awhile before entering and there were several other couples and families waiting with us. I remember saying to him, “wouldn’t it be wonderful if we brought our own children to Christmas at Biltmore someday” or something like that. At that point, he looked at me with an inquisitive look and the wickedest smile ever and said, “you have to say yes first.” I replied, “you have to ask first.”
I had no clue that he was planning on proposing that night, since we had never really talked about it that much. However, I do remember thinking as I was getting ready earlier that evening, that tonight would be a very romantic night to ask. By the time we had made it through the house I had completely forgotten about our conversation while waiting in line.
After the tour was finished, I began walking towards the shuttle bus that would take us back to our car. Before I was able to get on, he grabbed my hand and asked me to come here for a minute. We walked towards the front of the house (I have the exact spot forever etched into my mind) and he turned towards me. With tears in his eyes he said, “Erin, you have made me so happy, will you make me happy for the rest of my life? Will you marry me?”
I was surprised. I was so happy. I cried. He cried some more. I said “Yes.” I squealed. I did a happy dance. He laughed. It was amazing. It’s now unforgettable. Then he showed me the ring.
We called everyone on the drive back home to share the wonderful news. Then we went to purchase my first bridal magazine.
- Erin
Erin had no clue. Her Dad had been up for Thanksgiving, so I seized the opportunity to ask him for his blessing. Asking her mother was just as easy! I had told Erin earlier in the day that I was going out to take train pictures (a common thing for me); it was then on to Shelby for lunch with Betty and my chance to ask for her blessing. I had been worried that my plans would be discovered, but I made it all the way to December 3rd and even through the whole Biltmore House tour before I asked. She had no clue and was completely surprised! I'm soooo sneaky!
- Jeff
The Journey Begins.
Our First Valentine's Day.
Our first Valentine’s Day took place a couple of months after our engagement. It was a very romantic time for us, since we both knew that we were just beginning our lifetime journey together. We had dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant that, from the outside, looked like a ‘whole in the wall’ but contained it's own special secret... the best Italian food I’ve ever tasted.
- Erin
I'm still mad that Sorento's has since closed... so it has become my misson to take Erin to only the best resturants on Valentine's Day. They ALL can't close, can they?
- Jeff
