Our story
Originally from Miami, Liz landed a night job as a clerk at the Orlando Sentinel after graduating from UCF. Adam, an Orlando native, was already working there as a graphic designer in the Sports department. The first time Adam saw Liz walk by, he describes his reaction as a double-take that almost threw his neck out. (Liz believes he exaggerates. Adam swears to his accuracy.)
Liz & Adam noticed each other around the office, but didn't have a reason to talk. Once, Liz tried to leave the newsroom one night at the same time she saw Adam packing up. They introduced themselves on the stairs, but it was a short walk and Adam parted for his car when they reached the bottom. Liz figured he must not be interested, but really he was just intimidated.
Later on, Adam made a passing joke to her when she was sitting near his desk for a special project.
But it wasn't until months later, when Liz needed to copy Adam on a work email, that the ice was really broken. It began a series of emails that eventually culminated in a first date.
Adam took Liz to a nice restaurant and had intended for them to paint pottery afterward, but the place stopped seating just before they got there. Instead, they went for a walk around Lake Eola and spent the evening talking.
After the first date, Liz wasn't sure about things progressing, though she had enjoyed getting to know Adam as much as he had enjoyed getting to know her. So she told him a few days later that she thought they should just be friends.
And they were. They spent a lot of time together, alone and with friends, for the next six months.
Finally, after realizing that she was still interested, Liz brought Adam a sunflower to work, remembering it was his favorite.
About four years later, Adam bought a ring.
Somehow he managed to hold onto it for six months, waiting for the right timing.
One day, he told her they should go out on a fancy date since they hadn't done anything particularly romantic in a while. He asked her to fill a box with colorful pieces of paper, each one stating something that she loved about him. He promised to do the same.
On the day of the big date, he sent Liz sunflowers at work. Then, he took her to the same restaurant they had gone to on their first date. Lastly, he took her to the lake. But while it had been only a happy accident the first time they went there together, this time it was planned.
They sat down, sharing what they had written in their notes one by one. When they got to the bottom of their boxes, Adam told Liz that he had one more note for her. There, taped to the bottom of her box, was a folded piece of paper that had blended in with the wood color. She pulled up the tape and opened the note.
It asked Liz if she would marry Adam.
She turned to look at him and he opened a small black box with a beautiful ring in it. She couldn't really process anything at first, but it definitely sparkled. He asked her again aloud.
After recovering from her shock, she said yes!