We met on a boat. It was a cool August day, Alex had returned from a fishing tour, and I was visiting Mackenzie for her birthday in Columbus. I made him a sandwich. He liked my smile.

We had dinner with Mackenzie and Thomas. Alex made his famous alfredo. I made an apple pie. We all carved pumpkins. Alex cut a Christmas tree in his to be ironic. He asked for my number, and we started talking incessantly.

After a delicious dinner out on a Sunday night with friends, Alex asked me to be his girlfriend.

Three years went by. On a beautiful and humid May evening, Alex, Brandon, Lexi, and I went for a hike in Hocking Hills. Alex led us to the Conkles Hollow rim trail. At the first clearing, he took photos of Branon and Lexi. They returned the favor. As I went to walk away, he grabbed my hand. When I looked back at him, he was on one knee, asking me to marry him. I said, "of course!"