A: It was via social media that Philip glanced at me with those gorgeous blue eyes. His picture on “people you may know” dominated my Facebook newsfeed for what seemed like a lifetime. Philip soon received a “poke” from a stranger that would change his life. P: I didn’t even know the “poke” still existed. It seemed like an unconventional way to meet but sure I’m open to new things. Alfredo made me laugh which made me feel like I’ve met a challenging suiter. Then one day he posted a picture in his ER scrubs and so I quickly called 911. A: The kids now-a-days were recommending only drinks for a first date because dinner could be too much. After working a 12-hour shift, I was starving so I hinted at dinner. P: The Meatball Shop was a safe spot (at the end of my street). I walked in to find him smiling at the entrance …and that smile. My mind sets into panic, he is a 10! A: He walked in tall and handsome. The British accient made me smile and tingly all over. For those who were watching Downton Abbey, I felt like I had found my Matthew. I couldn’t breathe for a the first few sentences of our conversation. P: I ate meatball after meatball and even ordered ice cream because he was clearly out of my league, so why not. A: I needed to make the night last. Although a school night, I had to invite him for a night cap. P: Wipes ice cream from face and says ‘Yes’. We closed two bars that night and planned our next date. There was no waiting, no hesitation. Our relationship started with always having the next day planned, the next trip booked …and the rest is history.

Eighteen days before, we were running around the city getting some last-minute bites for our first holiday party. I navigated our route towards the store where I knew the ring would be. We passed Christmas carolers on the subway, walked past Rockefeller tree and listened to the bell chiming from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I can’t take credit for all of that but it sure did seem like I had planned it. We stopped in front of a jewelry store. I told him with no pressure that we should look for rings for the future. He smiled and said of course. Philip and I mentioned to the dealer that we were not at this point ready to buy because we had just spent a good investment on an apartment. We were just hear to create space in our minds and hearts for the future. In a moment of privacy, I called the store right back and told them I would be there the next day to pick up the ring. I envisioned proposing to Philip after asking his parents for his hand in marriage. This trip to Wales for the holidays was in perfect timing and the only challenge was to sneak everything past him. After only meeting his lovely parents for about an hour, I asked them for their blessing. They were as warm and welcoming as I could ever have imagined. Walking down the streets of London with the ring in my left chest pocket, I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. The ring box must have been protruding out so the world could see. I kept turning to my left so as to avoid him making eye contact. We walked across the bridge where I knew it would happen and causally stopped mid-way. I expressed to Philip three very significant reasons why I love him: for always calming me with laughter, being my partner of silliness and mischief, and being my rock through a family loss. With those attributes and my unconditional love, I kneeled down and proposed. He cried and said yes.