We met the first week of freshman year at St. Dominic High School. We had most of our classes together and remained friends for three years, but neither of us realized that the other had ever considered something more. Finally, in September 2005, our senior year, we took an opportunity to share our feelings. The conversation went something like this:
"Yeah, so I've kinda always liked you."
"Really? I've kinda always liked you too."
After many notes passed during classes and a kiss in the hallway after English, we were officially a "we," and have stayed that way ever since--through senior year at St. Dom's, college at Binghamton, and law school & medical school.
Our 7 year anniversary had just passed, and we planned to celebrate it in the afternoon before my law school's semiformal. I knew we were going to Central Park, and, I'll admit, I was worried about my hair since it was supposed to rain.
He told me that since he wanted to make sure I looked nice at the event later in spite of the rain, he'd have a car pick me up in Queens. I thought that was excessive, but I appreciated it. At the designated time, a limo showed up at my apartment! I was pretty surprised, but, because Nick sometimes does extravagant things, I didn't think there would be other surprises.
The limo took me to Central Park, and he met me there a few minutes later. We started walking and stopped by Turtle Pond, which is right beneath Belvedere Castle. He said, "There are supposed to be turtles and duckies here. Do you want to look for them?"
I said, "Absolutely." I'm a complete sucker for "duckies" and appreciated that he called them by my preferred name for them.
At this point, I was really preoccupied looking for turtles. "I don't see any turtles! What sound does a turtle make?!" In fact, I was so fixated on the turtles that I didn't hear him call my name the first time.
He called me again, and when I turned around he was on one knee and had a box with the most beautiful engagement ring I'd ever seen. (I later found out that his grandmother gave him her engagement ring and told him to reset the stone and give it to me when he was ready--I love that his family not only gave their blessing but also contributed so meaningfully to our engagement!).
He told me that I was the best thing to ever happen to him and asked me to marry him! I said, "Of course!!!!"
His friend, Steph, had been hiding behind a tree and took pictures of the whole thing! I'm so glad that Nick arranged that because we will cherish those photos always!
Afterwards, we took more pictures, drank champagne in the limo, visited Top of the Rock, and went to the semiformal, where I proceeded to flash my ring and tell the story to all of my law buddies.
It was the most magical, fantastic night!
Since our engagement, I graduated from law school, took and passed the NYS Bar Exam, was admitted as an attorney, and began work as an associate at a medical malpractice defense firm.
Nick is in his fourth year of medical school. He has recently completed his interviews for a residency in orthopaedic surgery and is eagerly awaiting Match Day in March. He will graduate from NYMC and officially be Dr. Yohe the week before the wedding!
After what seems like a lifetime of hard work and dedication to our studies and each other, we are thrilled to finally start their married and professional lives in 2014!
