It was our generation’s “once upon a time” introduction; social media. A simple direct message on Twitter, about how life is after high school gradually led to our first date. A trip to the movies was the first perfect date. It allowed us to be in each other’s presence and soak up each moment in silence. From his “mhm’s” to my continuous talking to fill in his unresponsive gaps, we decided a second date was not in our future. He called his best friend, “ she talks too much, “ and I called mine, “he’s too quiet.” Unbeknownst to me, he’d be asking me on a second date a week later, where he had plans of asking me to be his girlfriend. And that my friends, is the epitome of opposites attract.

Our first family, Hawaiian getaway was here! I was so excited for a full week of Hawaiian bliss and unforgettable memories with my little family and some of my favorite people. Little did I know, weeks ago my father had said “yes” to him for my hand in marriage. He planned a romantic date with the most beautiful view on our first night! I remember getting back to the Airbnb, concerned because it was too quiet. You can hear my family from a mile away, so something was definitely going on. I stepped into the backyard of my dreams. Love and happiness hit me like a ton of bricks. My family was crying and smiling from ear to ear. Our daughters were in awe. His proposal song was playing in the background as we walked to the edge of this hill, where the moonlight pierced through the sky directly over us. It was the perfect moment. He is not a man of many words, but I will never forget the way he explained his love for me. My heart was racing as he got down on one knee. Tears fell down my face and I couldn’t help but shout, “YES!” A million times “YES!” “And I’d choose you. In a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.”