It’s been about two weeks since Eddie proposed and I have been floating on a cloud. Life has been crazy and so much has happened that I will hopefully get to share soon. I will be sharing wedding updates so be sure to stay tuned for that. Many of you reading this have probably already seen a bit on Instagram or the YouTube video, but here it is in my words (Eddie’s too).

How We Met

Sophia: Eddie and I met in college, a month before my graduation. He was finishing up his first year of grad school and I was ending my senior year of college with plans to move to South Florida where my family was living. We hung out a handful of times and I instantly felt crazy about him. A few weeks after meeting we parted ways but even after just a short period of time, I knew there was something very special about him. I didn’t know what would come out of it but he came to visit me after just two weeks, and the rest was history.

How He Asked

Sophia: We took a last minute trip to Italy and I was very resistant to go on the trip from the beginning. It was supposed to just be my dad, two brothers and my dad’s cousin and uncle from here, going over to visit some relatives. They had this trip planned for a few months and I didn’t have any plans to go this time. Two weeks before they left my dad was begging me to go and I was honestly thinking, what the heck – why do you want me to go so bad? Then I thought…I guess a short and spontaneous trip to Italy could be fun.

I couldn’t go with them because I had a wedding to attend in Philly, with Eddie…so I thought if I was going to come a day late and already be with Eddie, then why not bring him? Little did I know, Eddie had planned to surprise me over there all along. I messed with their master plan (without knowing) and Eddie and I went over together.

On our last day there, we took a walk through the town where my grandmother and almost all of my dad’s family grew up. It is truly a magical place. My dad wanted to take a photo with my Uncle Pete and all of the cousins by the church where my grandparents and Uncle Pete were married.

After the photo, Eddie asked me to marry him. It honestly felt like a dream and I will never forget it.

Eddie: Completely unbeknownst to Sophie, her entire family helped orchestrate our engagement. Her Dad and brothers planned a trip to Italy with the goal of reuniting Sophia’s Great Uncle Pietro (He lives in the US) with his only remaining sibling (She lives in Italy). Sophie realized how beautiful it would be to witness the uniting of our families most delicate elders, and we decided to join her family on their journey. Sophie was the only person who thought this plan was derived last-minute. In the presence of her (Now our!) family, I proposed to Sophia on the steps of the church where her grandparents commenced their marriage in 1951.

Did You Expect It?

Sophia: No! I was totally surprised. We have been dating long distance for our entire relationship – three and a half years – so I was really hoping for next steps soon. We have talked about the future and I was hoping it would happen on this trip, or just sometime soon but I knew it would happen in God’s perfect timing. In the exact moment it happened, I was completely shocked and I’m pretty sure I blacked out for a few moments. It was the best day ever.

How has your relationship changed since your engagement?

Eddie: The most pleasant surprise surrounding our entire engagement has to be the simplest form of happiness that now fills the gaps between my thoughts. My cheek muscles are beginning to cramp. 

Sophia: I never knew that getting engaged could bring on even stronger feelings for each other. The minute Eddie put the ring on my finger, I felt like our relationship just got 10x stronger. I fell in love with him all over again. It’s amazing.

Any tips for someone who is thinking about popping the question?

Eddie: Find the perfect balance of surprise. In a healthy relationship, both parties should be looking forward to this day. If you are mutually prepared for marriage, neither person will be blindsided by a proposal. The exact moment that it happens, however, can certainly offer a beautiful opportunity for an unexpected request.

Sophia: I think social media and society has led lots of people to ‘plan’ their engagement, anticipate it and picture it so perfectly in their head that it can actually ruin it. I didn’t pick out a ring. I didn’t tell Eddie when I wanted it to happen. There was no pressures or time limits. Let it happen and it will be absolutely beautiful.

Our Engagement Video