Our Love Story

Thank you to all of our friends and family for the incredible support of our Love Story!  We cannot wait to celebrate the happiest day of our lives with you!

-With Love, Erica.

I met Joe many years ago when he first moved to Sapphire.  At that time, our lives were busy with work, other relationships and both of us settling in to a new "home base" location.  Although there wasn't a dating interest, we did become great friends.  

I remember Joe asked me to lunch during my breakup stage three years ago, and I was so nervous because I really wasn't sure I was ready to date. It was just a lunch date, but I was so nervous, I brought my best friend along.  Joe was an incredible sport and that day he knew we were just going to remain friends.  

Little did we know, as we tried to make our current relationships work, many of our mutual friends were cheering us on... that one day... we would get together.

Time and place.

Jump forward to 2026.  Both of our previous relationships had ended and neither one of us were interested in the dating scene.  

On Friday April 3rd, my parents celebrated 50 years of marriage and wanted to celebrate with dinner at Osteria Del Monte. Like many times before, I texted Joe last minute to see if I could get a table. And like every time before, of course he had a table.

Dinner was exceptional and the celebration of my parent's marriage was perfect.  Later that evening after I got home, I texted Joe again, thanking him for making our dinner so special.  

Any time Joe and I texted over the years, we always ended with "Drinks soon!" But we never actually followed through.  I guess it was more a friendly mention.

So that night after dinner, I did end my thank you for everything message with "Drinks Soon!"

Joe replied with "How about dinner Monday?"

Of course, not feeling like I was ready to go on a date... but was it a date?  We were just great friends, both restaurant owners that had a lot in common.

After refraining from saying yes or no, Sunday morning he asked again.  And in that moment, I simply thought ... why not.  So I accepted.

Monday April 6th... just dinner. Just friends.

But that night I knew. I've always heard the saying 'when you know, you know"

And I knew, I didn't want to spend another day as just friends.

I Said Yes

From our very first date, Joe and I were inseparable.  We could talk about anything and everything... good and bad, our past failed relationships, and our greatest achievements.  Our goals and wants in Life, to what made us who we are.  And with so much in common, Life is easy.  We truly get each other and we know when something is on the other's mind.

Early June, Joe would pace.  I knew our busy season with work was here and Joe paces when he's 1. on the phone talking or 2. something is on his mind.

Of course we were good.  Had amazing date nights and enjoyed being together.

We were going out of town on June 7th for my CMA Fest performance in Nashville and then headed to spend the night with his parents in Maryville, TN.

We had an amazing time, show was great, and I got to spend some time with his dad, stepmom Junko, and his younger brother Tai.  Being with his family truly felt like home to me.

As we drove home to Sapphire on June 9th, Joe was quiet, seemed nervous and deep in thought.  I knew he was probably thinking about work after being gone a few days so I didn't press. But for the next 10 days, he wasn't different, but he paced... ALOT. 

We had been planning Father's Day weekend for our families to all be in town and meet.  My parents were coming in Friday, and his family on Saturday.

When my parents arrived around noon on Friday, June 19th, Joe and my dad loaded up the golf cart and headed straight to the driving range.

I had no idea he was asking my dad for my hand in marriage.

But at 2pm, sitting outside having lunch with my parents, Joe took my hand, told me he wanted to spend the rest of his Life with me, and then he asked "Will you marry me?"

With tears in my eyes, hands shaking and the biggest smile on my face, I said "Yes!"