Get your passports ready!

Our first date was in Jersey City. I remember Mike waiting for me with a bouquet of lilies, which are my favorite flowers. As if the flowers weren't enough, he had also brought me some Chic-fil-a with a small bag of Doritos and some wine. He shared that he did not want me going "hangry" while throwing an axe. By that time, we had been speaking for months, I remember him sharing with me that he was an Eminem fan, so I brought him a "Mom's Spaghetti" T-shirt. We chatted, drank, laughed and threw axes. We landed a lot of target shots and before we knew it the time had ran out on our line. On our way to dinner I fell and ripped my pants, which is not a surprise for those who know me. He then did something that I will always remember, out of nowhere he pulled out a disinfectant and a bandaid. He went into care mode and this was the first sign of Mike's caregiving trait. We had dinner at Sirenetta, a bougie spot where we ordered "black ink squid pasta" and "grilled octopus." When that food came out, I thought they were the appetizers. I thought to myself, "I'm definitely going to finish my chick fila when I get home." Little did I know, Mike was also thinking the same. By the end of the date, I realized I found my sweetheart, my caregiver, my person.

On that warm summer evening of June 24th, 2023, at Keyport, Union Beach Pier in New Jersey, I had a grand plan in mind. I had arranged for us to dine at Jakeabay’s Bay, a charming restaurant by the sea. My heart raced with anticipation as I knew this night would be unforgettable. After a delightful dinner, we decided to take a leisurely walk along the pier. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the tranquil waters. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting. As we strolled along, Jhenyfer looked out at the vast ocean, lost in its beauty. That was my moment. I pretended to capture a photo of her against the backdrop of the sea, but as she turned around, her eyes met mine, and my heart skipped a beat. With my heart pounding, I dropped to one knee, holding a sparkling ring in my hand. The words I had rehearsed a hundred times tumbled out: “Jhenyfer, will you marry me?” Her eyes filled with tears of joy as she whispered the most beautiful “Yes” I’d ever heard. Under the starlit sky, with the soothing sounds of the sea as our witness, I knew I had made the right choice. That magical night at Jakeabay’s Bay on Keyport, Union Beach Pier marked the beginning of our journey as an engaged couple, and I couldn’t have been happier.