The sweetest dream would never do...

Before I met Chris, I was single for a few months and had been searching for companionship on a dating app. I wasn’t looking for anything serious but just someone to hang out with, even if just as friends. Some of the people I spoke to had one word answers or were more interested in my appearance. But Chris was the first person to actually read what I had to say in my messages (I will admit some were long lol!) He asked me about me and he responded with relevant comments and more questions. We had a real conversation and I could really feel chemistry. I got the courage to give him my phone number so we could text and call each other on a more personal level and after I got that first text, I deleted the app. I was so excited to meet someone with similar interests, so we planned our first date soon after so we could officially meet and get to know each other. We ordered Wingstop and drove to the beach. It was kind of late and the parking lots were closed. There wasn’t much street parking because we were near a residential area, so we parked at a shopping center and walked the rest of the way. We sat at a lifeguard tower to eat our wings, and Chris came prepared with a blanket to keep me warm. After eating, we snuggled up to watch the waves and continued talking through the night. When the moment was right, we both leaned in for our first kiss and I was head over heels! I knew this would be the start of something new.

I had never given any thought to whether I would one day want to marry and have kids, but it’s amazing how your life and feelings change when you meet the right person. Carmen and Wednesday are my everything. After 8 years of growing together and learning so much about each other, I finally felt I was ready to take the next step: to marry the one I love and become a family. I spent the last 2 years daydreaming of what our future could look like and dropped many subtle hints. Then in late November, I finally went and purchased the ring. It wasn’t hard to plan the perfect place to propose. Vegas is our spot - our home away from home. Carmen and I love Vegas for the sightseeing and adventures, and we almost never miss the Bellagio Botanical Gardens. We put it on the itinerary and headed to Vegas just before Christmas, and the whole way up, the ring was burning a hole in my pocket. I was just so excited to ask! When we finally made it, it was more crowded than I expected, and I kind of lost my nerve, but I was determined to give her the proposal she deserved. I pulled her to a quiet little corner, away from everybody, dropped to one knee and asked her to marry me. She looked so surprised and thought I was joking but once she saw the ring, she said yes! My heart was filled with joy and excitement to start a whole new chapter with someone so amazing and beautiful. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.