We're Getting Married

Prepping to-go cocktail and tartar sauce has never been more tedious, but that particular day -I didn’t know it then- would be the start of a whirlwind romance. In retrospect, I was very embarrassed about going back and forth to the kitchen about 100 times, all while a very handsome gentleman sat at a table preparing himself for a job interview that would change his life; he just didn’t know that yet. He looked so professional I honestly thought he would be my new boss. He stood out so much to me because he had such charisma and friendliness. He even started talking with my other coworker so casually; little did I know then that they were long-time friends. But all I could think about was him starting to think that I was checking him out, which I was, or that he might think that I wanted HIM to check me out. How embarrassing! I honestly think I made a fool of myself that day. Even though I was shy, I’ll never be able to forget what he wore that day; it’s forever imprinted in my heart. He wore khaki pants and a blue button-down shirt that made the color of his eyes hard to deceive; were they green, deep blue, or a blend of both? I didn’t try to figure out the color then and there, but further down the road, I would find myself looking into those beautiful green-blue eyes for years to come. After finally meeting him, we started talking and joking around. Every day that went by we got to know each other better. Soon after we started flirting- it just happened. Anytime I was near Alec, I would get these butterflies in my tummy that I’ve read about in books but didn’t know they were real. In the midst of flirting, I decided to do something “romantic” and give Alec a nickname: Stargazer. It was from a book I had finished reading, and Alec’s eyes reminded me of stars twinkling in the night, and it just clicked for me. Alec, however, didn’t catch on to it the first ten times that I said it. If you ask him today, he did NOT like that nickname, but he thought it was very dorky of me - gosh, I was digging myself in a hole! After a bit of flirting, Alec asked me out for coffee. We set a date and went to the Dandelion Cafe. He had a cappuccino, and I had a latte, and we talked our ears out. I had a feeling that day that there was a connection and knew that something was blooming between us. We grew closer in ways that nobody ever has: surgery. I know, of all things, right? While working a shift together, I started feeling pain in my abdomen, but I didn't think much of it. Alec found out and gave me Tums, and soon, I would feel better. Turns out Tums wouldn’t cure my pain. I was submitted to emergency surgery for appendicitis. Alec, three months later, had hernia surgery. While he recovered at home, I would bring him some homemade food to make him feel a little better. Seeing him in pain and so vulnerable broke my heart. All I wanted to do was take his pain away. That's when I realized that we leaned on each other at our weakest point. We showed our true selves, letting each other into our hearts and world. We created a bond that can’t be put into words. I knew I was falling in love with him then. I told him once that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat because I just knew he was the one. Now, since all pain has subsided, our surgeries are a reminder of how far we have come and what we have endured. There are many more stories to tell, but I'll leave you with this: I love Alec. Alec will soon be my husband But that’s not the only place that he holds in my heart. Alec is my bestfriend, Alec is my shoulder to lean on, Alec is my partner in crime. Alec has taught me so much: using chopsticks, playing golf, and learning bowling techniques. Alec is my rock. We have this saying whenever times get a little tough, “it’s us against the world .” Alec and I have come a long way, and I am proud of him and everything he has done. Our love is like no other. “We loved with a love that was more than love” - Edgar Allen Poe.