A college classmate had told me about Camp Lions, a camp for the blind and deaf. She knew I was studying to be a teacher for the blind. She recommended that I volunteer during the blind/low vision week of camp. I was very nervous to go to camp because I didn’t know what to expect. I arrived at camp and was shocked to see how many of staff were deaf or hard of hearing. I only knew basic signs like the alphabet and easy everyday words. I felt like I made the wrong decision going to camp because I wasn’t able to fully communicate with the deaf staff. I met Bronson there. He was a counselor at the time. He very patiently put up with my terrible signing skills. We had so much fun hanging out together at camp. He played a prank on me, pretending that I electrocuted him when I put his cochlear implant magnet on his head. There was just something about Bronson that drew me to him. He always made me laugh and I enjoyed being around him.

Bronson had originally planned to propose to me at Camp Lions at East Bay Camp where we had met. However, Covid had other plans. So on 11/11/21 at 11:11 AM, Bronson proposed to me in front of the dolphins at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. He knows how special 11:11 is to me. Everyday I make a wish at 11:11 and believe that it can come true. The time 11:11 is a good symbol that means new beginnings along with other meanings. He had typed on his phone, “I am going to propose can you video me but pretend to take a picture.” He didn’t have his implant on so he was completely deaf. He handed the phone to a woman and she counted down. Well, since he couldn’t hear her, by 2 he was down on one knee. He was so nervous when he proposed. When he asked, “Will you marry me?” I replied with signing and saying, “Yes, of course, thank you!” I then leaned in for a kiss not realizing I had a mask on since there were still Covid rules. He then asked why I said, “Thank you!” As everyone was cheering around us. I guess I thought the ring was so beautiful I wanted to thank him! The proposal was perfect because it was totally us. He was so thoughtful with his planning to make it special for me. And then of course I was my silly self when I responded.