When Rebecca took the last churro, I knew she was the one. Rebecca knew when I took her on the carousel. There was a special kind of magic in the air at the Edinburgh Christmas Market, the kind that makes you believe in the possibility of forever. Atop the Ferris wheel bathed in Christmas lights, we fell in love with each other’s weirdness and passion for . . . books. (We’re good at co-writing; we should write a book together.) Over sushi, we checked our lists twice and cradled the spark that had struck between us. We stayed up way past our bedtime, comparing life ambitions and past adventures. The night ended with us walking in silence to the train station. Both wondered if this was real or a dream. When Rebecca kissed me, we both knew it was real. Walking beneath the stars and Edinburgh castle, I called my parents and told them I’d found the woman I was going to marry. Then, Rebecca moved in down the street. I presented my “CrossFit spreadsheet” that showed how we’d have an additional three years of waking time together if we worked out together. Rebecca was in! The spark grew into an inextinguishable flame with every workout, conversation, and dinner. When I was invited to my friends Chris & Toni’s wedding in Colorado, I hit +1 and asked Rebecca to America. Meaning we would be together 24/7 for (initially) 6 weeks. At our weekly planning meeting (World Domination), Rebecca made the (excellent) point that we should spend more time together. Never to do things by halves, I moved in that weekend. Boarding a plane to Rome, we had no idea how her birthday weekend would affirm and elevate our relationship. What happened? It wasn’t the gelatos or the Coliseum. It was a candlelit dinner and a shot of limoncello (SO gross!). She opened up, and I did the same. Tears and fears were swept away by the realization that neither of us was alone on the journey anymore. We had found our partner and best friend for life. Seven days in Crete at a paradise hotel left us with two facts: 1. We could find humor and create joy under any circumstances. 2. Like spiders . . . not all Radissons are the same. Onwards to America, we realized love wasn’t something you waited for; it was something you find every day with the person you care about the most. Something you appreciated every moment for who knows how long we’ll be in this life. With that in mind, I decided to take action. Pinks and oranges painted the Texas sky as the sun set behind the forested horizon. Hand in hand, we sat as darkness overtook the fading light. Bats stirred from their homes and took flight. Stars blossomed in the night sky, and I went on one knee in the twilight and asked for two hearts to become one. Rebecca said, “YES!” On our wedding day, we slept in till 6 AM . . . and agreed the most important part of the getting ready process was grits for breakfast. Photographers and friends Janis and Dan met us at the courthouse alongside our Justice of the Peace, Sheryl. We repeated our vows, exchanged rings, and baked in the 103-degree heat. After more photos and blistering heat, we headed to have sushi for dinner, just like on our first date. Then, we received an urgent message about a video?! A surprise congratulations video from many friends and family made us laugh out loud, cry from happiness, and feel incredibly loved. Over dinner, we reflected on how far we had come together. Inspired by friends' words, we danced in the rain to only a song we could hear. The storm’s power echoed the force we felt for one another. We couldn’t have done it without y’all’s love and support. We look forward to celebrating in person. May we all have many happy years together and lives well laughed.