HOW THEY MET
Jason and Angela first connected through the best mail order bride site, where their conversations quickly sparked a genuine interest. They decided to meet in person at a party at a mutual friend’s house. Upon seeing his picture just prior to the festivities, Angela was already smitten with the absolutely gorgeous Jason, but tried to play it cool, of course.
She explains, “I was pretty nervous when he actually showed up. I tried to act natural and not freak out… However, that plan backfired when I proceeded to open a soda, and it EXPLODED everywhere!”
After teasing Angela for “missing a spot,” Jason proceeded to assist with the cleanup. From there, the rest is history! Their connection, which started online, only grew stronger that night as they shared laughs and moments face-to-face.
GAME PLAN
Jason, basketball coach and teacher at Holy Trinity Middle School, first courted Angela at a Charlotte Bobcats game. The team, formerly and currently known as the Charlotte Hornets, holds special significance to their relationship. As such, Angela and Jason planned a portion of their extended engagement shoot in the actual arena – complete with matching Hornets jerseys with their soon-to-be family-name, Cordero. And just look closely at the numbers which correspond with their wedding date: 10 & 15 in reference to October 15th, 2016!
DATE NIGHT
But the duo didn’t stop there. Instead, the two larked among landmarks throughout the Queen City. The resulting photo-shoot captures the dreamiest of date nights imaginable. During an excursion to the Epicentre, love escalates and the two playfully pose while nibbling on popcorn at Studio Movie Grill. Later, the LYNX Blue Line light rail whizzes by while dozens of cars wait eagerly to pass, but Angela and Jason couldn’t care less; they instead share a tender moment amidst the hustle-and-bustle of the surrounding cityscape. And the center city building, with its coordinating blue and turquoise panels, can’t help but serve as the perfect backdrop for the sweethearts. The shoot concludes with a dramatic scene; the Charlottean skyline is blanketed by storm clouds while their hot rod getaway idles in anticipation!
HOW HE PROPOSED, AS TOLD BY ANGELA
It was my birthday, and Jason decided to take me on a surprise trip. He wouldn’t tell me where we were going, but said I would love it. We got in the car, and an hour later I figured out we were going to Myrtle Beach. I have no sense of direction, but those giant cheesy billboards for the pirate’s voyage gave it away.
He told me that instead of buying me a birthday present he was going to take me on a shopping spree- so naturally our first stop was the Tanger Outlets. I was supposed to shop for clothes, but the kitchen store is kinda my weakness (my first present ended up being a garlic press haha). Anyways, we shopped till we dropped and then went to check into the hotel. We got there, and our room had the most beautiful ocean front view. It had been cloudy all day, but the sun had just come out so we took a walk on the beach.
It was pretty early in the afternoon, maybe 4 o’clock? Jason told me we should get ready for dinner because we had a reservation. I asked what time it was for because I had a cold and was feeling pretty lousy. He said that dinner was at 8, and I honestly just wanted to take a nap until then. Jason begged and begged and begged me to get ready so we could go do some shopping on Market Street. It took him a while to convince me, but with the bribe of a yummy Italian bakery, he finally got me to agree.
I thought dinner would be on Market Street too, and was kind of confused when we got in the car to go eat somewhere else. We pulled up to the Melting Pot- the MELTING POT- which by the way is a favorite. I’m a sucker for all things fondue and anything dipped in chocolate. At this point I’m thinking, “Hmm.. Surprise road trip, lots of shopping, ocean front view room, a walk on the beach, bribery Italian pastries, AND the Melting Pot… What if. This is. It?!”
At this point I’m thinking, ‘Hmm.. Surprise road trip, lots of shopping, ocean front view room, a walk on the beach, bribery Italian pastries, AND the Melting Pot… What if… This is… IT?!’
I got immediately excited! But… Jason didn’t have a ring box in his pocket (of course I looked, and you would have, too!) and he didn’t have a jacket that he could have kept it in. The first course passed. The second course concluded and then even dessert… I excused myself to the bathroom and was SO confused. Why wasn’t he asking? Was he going to? Was he not planning on it? I just did not understand. When I came back the check was paid and he was ready to leave already.
We walk to the car, he opened the door for me, and we drove away. Now I’m thinking, “Maybe we’re going somewhere else- maybe another walk on the beach? Isn’t there a boardwalk near here?” We pass all of the places I thought we might stop and arrive back at the hotel. I felt so sad. It was perfect; why didn’t he just ask already?
I felt so sad. It was perfect; why didn’t he just ask already?
We got to the hotel room, and our keys had been demagnetized by our phones. They wouldn’t work, so we had to walk down to the front desk to ask for new ones. The concierge at the desk sees us and says to Jason, “Sooo, how’d it go?” And he so nonchalantly says, “It went great, thanks.” … How did what go? Was he supposed to ask? Did he tell her she was surprising me with the Melting Pot? What. Was. Happening…?
We went up to our room, and when Jason used the new key we saw the green light that signaled we could get in. He stopped, looked at me with a face I had never in our 3 years together seen, told me he loved me, gave me a kiss, and then opened the door.
The room was DECKED OUT. There were flowers, candles, balloons, string lights, champagne… It was happening, and even though he hadn’t said anything yet, I immediately started crying.
The room was DECKED OUT. There were flowers, candles, balloons, string lights, champagne… It was happening, and even though he hadn’t said anything yet, I immediately started crying. I didn’t even walk fully into the room because I was so shocked that I kind of just stopped in the walkway. He got down on one knee, and asked me to be his wife. So here we are: engaged! And more excited than ever!
After things calmed down, I found out that his mom (we call her G) had driven all the way out to the beach to decorate our room with her friends while we were at dinner. It finally made sense why he was so eager to get me out of the hotel, and I felt bad for being so stubborn! It was 11:30pm at this point, but I very considerately called all of my immediate family members, regardless of if they were sleeping or not, to let them know. After those phone calls, I lost my voice, and left Jason the task of telling everyone else the story haha. The next morning we met G and her friends for breakfast, then hit the boardwalk before we drove home.
I know this story is pretty long, but to sum it up for all of those who like to skim: he made it memorable, and we could not be happier!
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeni Buchanan | Website | Vendor Profile
LOCATION: Uptown Charlotte | Time Warner Cable Arena | Epicenter | Imaginon
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