You're Invited
August 2nd, 2025
The Hahn Horticulture Garden
200 Garden Lane (0915)
Blacksburg VA, 24061
Our Story
How We Met
On November 30th, 2018 Jay and Hannah met through mutual friends while out for lunch. After that, they began to see each other every day. They spent many of their days going to bowling alleys, arcades, movie theaters, the Hahn Horticulture Garden, and having cozy nights in. They had their first valentines date together at Greens in Blacksburg and 14 days later, on February 28th, 2019, they were officially dating.
The Proposal
Early Monday morning, April 8th 2024, Hannah woke up Jay to a surprise road trip to Akron, Ohio to see the total solar eclipse as an "early birthday gift."
They went to the City of Greens park, OH where an eclipse festival was happening. The moon started to move in at 2pm but wasn’t going to be at totality until 3:15. They set up their picnic blanket and painted on canvases while they waited. As the moon had made its shape from its classic cookie bite to a bend, to a toenail clipping, it was getting to totality. If you ask Jay and Hannah about this, they will tell you that no picture, video, or description of the total solar eclipse can prepare you for the experience.
They used their eclipse glasses to watch for the recommended 3 minutes at a time. Nature's light bulb shifted from warm yellow, to warm blue, to cool blue until it was almost a perfect studio light. Jay and Hannah scooted closer together as the temperature started to drop.
Through the protective glasses they watched as the moon pushed its way in front of the sun, until there was nothing left for the glasses to protect them from. They removed them to see that it was completely dark, except this fiery glowing ring in the sky. It was like seeing a new planet. They grabbed each other’s hands while experiencing the most bizarre moment of their lives. Birds flew in confusion as a sunset glowed in every direction. That cold black shadow stepped across them for nearly three minutes, but to them it only felt like a few seconds. As the sun started to peak back out Jay put on her glasses to watch.
At this point of the total solar eclipse, called the “Diamond Ring Effect,” Jay saw Hannah on one knee with an open ring box in hand asking, "Will you Marry me?" Jay cried tears of joy as she said “Are you serious right now??” then cried out “Yes!!” Hannah put the ring on Jay’s finger. They kissed and cried together as they exchanged feelings of love and commitment.
Afterwards, they played at an arcade, took photo booth pictures, went out to dinner, and eventually ended the night at a bar called Twist Social Club in Cleveland. They had the most wonderful time celebrating their engagement and meeting new people who shared the excitement with them.
They both say it’s the best day of their lives so far.