Our Story! 

Alan and Mel first met at their good friend Desiree’s housewarming barbeque in July of 2020. They had shared a good number of mutual friends for years, but had never met up until that point. Although, they later learned there were a few instances in the past where they had *almost* met, including once when Alan pulled into the driveway at Mel’s Gasparilla party, but decided that he didn’t like the music that was playing and left. 

They had only exchanged quick “nice to meet you’s” at the housewarming; however, Mel was leaving to go to Miller’s Ale House with her friends Traci and Regina, when Regina also asked Alan if he wanted to come along as they were leaving. He came, and they all four hung out over some zingers. Alan later admitted to coming in an attempt to get to know Mel better, (direct quote: “she was pretty cute”), but nothing more than friendly banter came to fruition that night.

It didn’t take long, however, as between a friend’s sushi dinner, a Rays game showing, and a karaoke night, they managed to see each other three more times over the following couple of weeks. Chemistry was building between the two as they both quietly found each other intriguing and wanted to get to know one another better. Mel was even the one to “slide into his DM’s” one day to ask if he was going to the Ray’s game showing. However, it wasn’t until the karaoke night at a dive bar called “Bottles” – after Alan beat Mel at a game of shuffleboard – that he asked her on their first date  before kissing her on the hood of her car. Their first date was of course at Mad Beach brewing, where he could also secretly test to see if Mel had an interest in craft beer. She had not been a craft beer afficionado at the time, but has always been open to trying anything, and – thanks to Alan – has since grown a love for particular flavors (side note: look forward to both a “His” and “Hers” homebrew at the wedding!) After the brewery, they took a nice long walk on the beach to wrap up what was going to be the last first date for both of them. 

Since then, Mel and Alan have shared so many great memories and experiences with one another. They have traveled and explored new worlds together, but also easily enjoy each others company day to day. They always share each others small victories, come to each other for advice, and make each other laugh. They also particularly enjoy weeknights where they can unwind together by making a homecooked meal, playing with their dogs, and then picking out a video game.  Other activities they enjoy are playing board games with their coffee in the morning, taking long bike rides, and going to Taco Tuesday.

Alan proposed to Mel during their trip to Iceland in September of 2022 (Mel had no idea this was coming, as Alan had tricked her into thinking it would be happening much later!) They were walking on the black sand beach in Vik by the Basalt columns, when Alan said he would take a picture of them on his professional camera with an app he downloaded on his phone. They were standing there – Mel smiling at the camera thinking he was taking a picture – when Alan got down on one knee (he had been secretly recording a video). He took out a ring pop to propose with, which they had joked about in the past. Mel initially thought he was joking (“are you f***ing with me?!” may have been said), shocked since fully believing the proposal was coming much later. However, she was overjoyed once realizing it was a real proposal, and gladly accepted the ring pop after they shared several laughs. A few moments later, Alan presented her with the real ring, and they continued together along the beach, taking their first hike together as an engaged couple. It ended up being a somewhat dangerous hike to a cool hidden cave, but they were both super happy (Mel may have also squeed a couple times in excitement as they were hiking). After the hike, they further celebrated with a warm volcano soup at a yummy Icelandic soup place.   

It has overall been an amazing experience, and we are so excited for you to join us in a further part of our story as we say “I do” in February 2024!

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