It’s our first full week back since our working holiday in Eastern Europe and as I think back to the time we spent strolling through baroque palaces and sitting in old style cafes, I’m reminded of how wonderful it is to find your person. That person who will love you and support you no matter what life brings. The world is so big, and finding someone who has the same values and dreams as you, someone to spend the rest of your life with, is such an amazing thing. It’s crazy to think that so incredibly often, the stars align perfectly and we find our person amidst all the chaos in the world. Today I’m excited to share Caroline and Tom’s story. They ended up at the same college at the same time, in the same class, and even in the same dorm! How’s that for the stars aligning?! I loved meeting these two – they love to laugh and I know their wedding day is going to be so much fun! Enjoy reading about their love story and getting a peek into my time with them!

How they met:

Caroline: We first saw each other in professor Hadley Smith’s class at Ithaca college. I was a freshman and Tom was a sophomore. We then realized that he lived one floor above me in the dorms and we’re introduced by my best friend, Craig, who also lived on that floor.

Tom: After seeing Caroline in my literacy education class, my buddy Cwag on my floor was bff’s with her, and I asked for an intro, and he DELIVERED

Their first date:

Caroline: Tom took me to Chili’s my freshman year – all the way back in 2005! I remember that we had to run to my car in the freshman parking lot in the pouring rain! I also remember Tom forgot his glasses and I had to read the menu to him. We wouldn’t make things “official” until 4 years later, but that started what I like to call our “romantic friendship” :)

Tom: I remember I had told Caroline I’d bring her in my buddy’s SUV, but ended up having to ask her to drive her jeep. We had margaritas at Chili’s, and I had to have Caroline read the menu to me because I had forgotten my glasses.

When they knew they had found the One:

Caroline: I knew Tom was the one after we went on a spring break cruise together in 2009. He made it known that he wanted to be my official boyfriend. I made him wait for a little bit, but I soon realized that this guy has been there all along, fighting for me, and that I couldn’t imagine my life without him.

Tom: There was always something there. I knew when I didn’t want to leave her after a week long cruise in the Caribbean.

The proposal:

Caroline: I came home from work after teaching a Saturday test prep course at my school. I noticed Tom in jeans and a button up shirt. I thought this unusual because #1) Tom is usually not awake on a weekend until I wake him up and #2) Tom usually wears his gym shorts and a tank… even in January. Tom told me he wanted to ask me a question and he hoped I would say yes. Noticing he is ‘dressed up’ I thought Tom wanted to go to Atlantic City or somewhere with his boys and so I was a bit annoyed. Then he dropped to one knee and pulled out a ring and I was overwhelmed with joy! We popped champagne, our friends joined us, and we celebrated the rest of the night. :)

Tom: I was really nervous leading up to it. I tried to do it this one particular weekend in January. Caroline had basically made plans both nights with friends, but I didn’t want to wait. When she got back from teaching Saturday school, I had the champagne in the fridge, threw on some jeans/nice tee – and said to her when she came in ‘I have a question for you, and it’d make me really happy if you said ‘yes’ – dropped to a knee and it was on

One thing they love about each other:

Caroline: I love how fun, personable, and kind Tom is. Everyone who meets him instantly loves him because he is so happy and fun to be around! All of my friends consider him one of their best friends now, and sometimes I think they want to see him more than me! We have so much fun together, and I know that we’re still going to be laughing when we’re old and gray :)

Tom: I love that Caroline is my rock – straight shoots and supports me through anything.

What they’re looking forward to on their wedding day: