Scanlon / Pettine Engagement | Man Crush Monday

"On cold December day, only two days after Christmas in 2013, I sat at my desk at work anxiously anticipating the end of the work day, as it was to be my first real date with Ray, having only met very briefly once before during a night out. That evening, we met up at Tap and Mallet in downtown Rochester, NY. The time passed by so quickly as we chatted about our jobs, traded stories about our families, and asked each other about all of our ‘favorites’ - movies, restaurants, hobbies. (In my case, I told Ray that my favorite movie was ‘Liar, Liar’ and we still laugh about that until this day because of all of the movies I had ever seen, that was of course the one I decided to blurt out!) "

"Whenever I reflect on this date, I can’t help but to smile to myself because it was one of those experiences in life where time stood still, and the moments that made up the evening were truly all that seemed to matter. We parted ways that night and I experienced a true sense of contentment; I had met ‘my person’. I love Ray more than I ever thought I could love another person. He respects others and is constantly showing me through his actions what a good hearted, genuine and kind person he is. He is a family man; I love that I can see his adoration for his Mom & Dad, sister Alicia, and his Grandmother. Ray offers me an unconditional love that I am so grateful for each and every day and encourages me to be the best person I can be. We laugh everywhere we go - he incredibly funny and has a wit about him that is unparalleled to anyone else I know.  We have been inseparable ever since the day we met and I wake up every single day in awe of the fact that I get to call this amazing man my best friend and in less than 3 weeks, my husband."   - Mary Kate Scanlon