Megan and Sean met in 2009 while both working on their doctorates at THE Ohio State University. For their first “official” date, Sean picked Megan up, presented her with flowers, and surprised her by going to a vegetarian restaurant, even though he loves meat. He made her laugh all through dinner. At the end of the date, Sean dropped Megan off at her house and sealed the date with their first kiss. Megan immediately called her dad to say how special the evening was and how excited she was for their next date. Over the next few months, Sean and Megan began dating more seriously and their beloved dogs, Bosco and Bogart, became the best of friends. Megan and Sean shared the trials and triumphs of life in graduate school together. They were supportive of each other during the tough times, encouraged each other during the trying times, and were the first to congratulate one another for passing exams, passing dissertation defenses, and finally graduating. After dating for about one year, Megan asked Sean where things were headed (she had already graduated and he was finishing up his degree). Sean responded that he loved Megan very much and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but he wanted to wait to get married because he wanted to be the very first “Dr. Whittemore.” Megan understood and waited, not always patiently, but she waited for Sean to be ready. The weekend before Megan turned 30, Sean had arranged for a surprise party with all of Megan’s closest family and friends at a local pizza shop. She was completely surprised and so in love with Sean for working so hard to make her birthday so special. The next weekend, on her actual birthday, Sean made several suggestions for places to go to celebrate the occasion. Megan was being quite stubborn and turned down each offer Sean made. They eventually agreed on dinner at a restaurant in the local mall. After dinner, they took a walk outside to see the Christmas decorations that had already been hung up. They came upon a huge Christmas tree, all decorated with lights and ornaments. No one else was around. Sean hugged Megan and told her that he loved her, he then proceeded to get down on one knee and ask her to marry him. She said yes and the couple spent the next few moments dreaming of what their future would be like. Sean graduated that spring and the pair were married the following fall at Marco Beach Ocean Resort!
