[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/engagement-story-dacey-and-jess\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/engagement-story-dacey-and-jess\/","headline":"Engagement Story: Dacey and Jess","name":"Engagement Story: Dacey and Jess","description":"With a Little Help From Our FriendsAn entourage of friends help create a scavenger hunt that leads to happily ever after. By Dacey L. Hartsfield...","datePublished":"2012-02-08","dateModified":"2021-06-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/#Person","name":"Equally Wed","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/author\/admin\/","identifier":787,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ca62cf123aaaf135c80b055249bacbda79de9226e11cdfcde6529bedf89683de?s=96&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Equally Wed","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","url":"http:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/equally-wed-lgbtq-weddings-logo.jpg","width":218,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dacey-and-jess_large.jpg","url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/dacey-and-jess_large.jpg","height":300,"width":289},"url":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/engagement-story-dacey-and-jess\/","about":["Engagement"],"wordCount":452,"articleBody":"With a Little Help From Our FriendsAn entourage of friends help create a scavenger hunt that leads to happily ever after.By Dacey L. HartsfieldJess and I met in July of 2008 at a poker party hosted by a mutual friend. Jess walked into the room and I was fixated; not only was she beautiful, but she spoke with intelligence and wit\u2014a true Southern belle. We attempted to play poker, but admit we both lost our shirts (not literally!); clearly, neither of us were all that interested in our cards.We spoke as if we\u2019d known one another for years. Our friends in attendance that night still enjoy mocking our conversation: \u201cOh my gosh \u2026 you love the Steelers? … You had a boob reduction, as well? … You love to breathe air, too?\u201d They knew, even in that first meeting, we\u2019d make a life together, someday (even if Jess and I were oblivious).After dating for nearly two and a half years and buying the ring of Jess\u2019s dreams, I created a plan to propose on July 2, 2011. I enlisted four of our closest friends to help and had each write up a clue that would take us to five places that were special to Jess and I in, what Jess believed to be, a scavenger hunt for a housewarming gift.Our friend arrived at our house around 9:30 a.m. with the first clue. At each Atlantan location was another friend with another clue. Before the afternoon was complete, we\u2019d seen Smith\u2019s Olde Bar, special because it is a Steelers and Alabama bar; 3 Legged Cowboy where we loved to two-step, Apr\u00e8s Diem where we went to dinner on our first date, Piedmont Park where we love to spend time with our friends, and finally the Botanical Gardens which is where we had our first date.At the Botanical Gardens, I removed my blindfold and led the group to an area off the beaten path where we were completely surrounded by beauty. When we were both instructed to take off our blindfolds, I was on bended knee. I\u2019ll never forget the look of pure surprise and happiness on her face.We are getting married Friday April 13, 2012 (our dating anniversary is also a Friday the 13th) in Niagara Falls, NY and I can\u2019t wait.Want to see your proposal story  in Equally Wed Magazine? For consideration, send an e-mail briefly  outlining  the highlights of your story and a snapshot of you two to kpalladino@equallywed.com. Submission of your photos, videos and letters constitutes permission to Palladino Publishing, publisher of Equally Wed Magazine and EquallyWed.com, to use them in all media."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Engagement Story: Dacey and Jess","item":"https:\/\/equallywed.com\/engagement-story-dacey-and-jess\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]