Happily Ever After

It all started when a boy and girl… downloaded a dating app. Both posted pictures and quotes highlighting their best sides and obsessions. She wrote of her love of Marvel, Harry Potter, and all things nerdy. This intrigued him. He hit the “heart” and away the message went. She got the notification and up popped his picture. She liked his smile. He was just as much of a geek as her. She hit the “heart” and away the message went. The boy and girl sent a few messages in the app before moving into the “real world” of text messages. A big step forward. Eventually texting moved to video calls. This was September 2020 after all. All involved had to stay social distancing and safe. After a few weeks of technology controlled communication- an outdoor meeting was decided upon. Breakfast at Broken Yolk. They talked of many things over chicken fried steak and eggs Benedict. As he walked away she thought “yeah, I’d like to do that again.” A few weeks after that they met again, this time at BJs. He decided then, this was something. Now over two years later, that something has turned into their everything.

Walking down Main Street, Disneyland USA. One of her favorite things. This 2021 Christmas trip had been planned for months and excitement bubbled. They walked down Main Street talking with family. What do we want to do first? Where do we go next? “To the castle, for pictures!” He said. They all agreed. A moment to stop at this store? “No, pictures at the castle!” How about pictures with Walt and Mickey first? “No, pictures at the castle!” So to the castle they went. She started talking about her previous trip here last fall. She waited in line for pictures with her roommates only to become part of someone else’s love story. A man loudly asking her roommate to take a picture, then much quieter “actually, can you video for me?” A stranger asking for help to remember permanently becoming part of a family. The woman surprised, tearfully said yes. The daughter surprised, when he kneeled and asked her to become his daughter. They were crying. The photographers were crying. The crowd was crying. It was magical. They laughed at the memory as they lined up for their pictures to start this trip. It was almost their turn. “Here, take video for me” he whispered to his sister. A wink and smile. She gasped. “Stand this way” the photographer said. “Smile” “Move that way,” and something caught her eye. She turned to see him on his knees and her heart skipped and stuttered. Shocked was an understatement. She barely got the yes out as the joy flooded over. Her very own love story at the castle with her prince.