I absolutely love when people ask me this question, not just because I am a certified yapper and fantastic story-teller, but because to this day it still amazes me how out of 8.2 billion people on this earth, both Eric and I perfectly found each other. Let’s rewind our story to when we first “met” each other - I use this word loosely and I will explain why shortly. Back in 2021 both of us worked at the festival foods in Janesville, WI; I was a full-time college student and part-time cashier while he was a college graduate and full-time Bakery Manager. According to a somewhat reliable source, aka Eric, he would see me working by guest services after his shifts and thought I was cute. Though, he never really went out of his way to talk to me... Anyway, I very vaguely remember there was just one time that he checked out through my lane. I tried making small talk with him but quickly realized he was not much of talker. Soon after that I never saw him around and later found out he had moved to a different job. Fast forward to the Fall, I started in-person classes in Madison so I moved close to college and transferred to the festival foods in Verona. After I had been working there for a few months, to my surprise, I saw that vaguely familiar face. For weeks I could not place where I had seen this person before until one of my good friends mentioned he was “that” quiet Bakery Manager from Janesville. Due to his role in the store, he was sort of obligated to introduce himself to everyone and in that same week I finally and officially got to meet him. For months I would always try to find ways to talk to him, both at work and outside of work. To make this story even better, I should also mention he was my direct supervisor so I had to tread carefully and not make it too obvious I liked him. Months later I finally graduated college and started my big girl job, which meant I could quit my other job. On December 19th of 2023 I texted Eric something like this: “I have never been to the Christmas lights in Janesville and plan on going tomorrow. If you’re not busy you should come! It’s just me going because all my friends are busy.” Of course this was all just a clever strategy, masterminded by yours truly, to get him to come on a date with me. December 20th rolled around, thankfully he texted me back and we officially had our first date that night and it was just perfection! Exactly one year after our first date he asked me to be his fiancée in the same spot where I took him on our first date. I truly believe that our story lines were always meant to intertwine. I always tell Eric that us crossing paths twice was no coincidence but a gift from God. We were both blessed to meet each other and are overjoyed to make this next memorable step in our lives. Executive writer: Abi Allowed to edit grammar: Eric