We're getting the married

When Dan finally worked up the courage to ask me out to dinner, and that went well, the next few dates came fast—and so did the complete collapse of my immune system. They say there’s nothing worse than having the flu in summer, but try dealing with bronchitis in the heat. And to make it worse, there’s this really cute guy you’re dying to impress, but you’re too busy focusing on not passing out from lack of air. Most guys would’ve run for the hills when faced with a sick girl who sounds like a 60-year-old chainsmoker. But on one of our dates, as I parked my car to cough and avoid an accident, he was nothing but a gentleman. I even went hiking for him, in my state. Instead of backing off, he leaned in and, with a perfect excuse to "check out the view," gave me the space to catch my breath and blow my nose. Here’s to illness, health, and the adventure ahead with you, Dan.

After living in Pretoria for 4 years and knowing Alika for ~1.5 years before dating, I asked her out for a first and second date with less than a week left of my stay in Pretoria. Despite the last-minute time crunch, I really enjoyed Alika’s company on the first two dates, making it clear that the effort to trek between the two cities of Joburg and Pretoria for a third and fourth date would be worth it. At the end of the fourth and potentially final date, which spanned a long weekend at a mutual friend’s house, I casually told Alika that she was welcome to come visit me in Hilton as I had no real plan to return to Pretoria, but I wanted to see her again. In the moment which I asked her, I doubted that she would take me up on the offer as Hilton was unfamiliar and out of her way. But a few weeks later, to my delight, she had bravely made the decision to redirect her return flight to Durban. She continues to be brave as we make big decisions together, and getting married is one of the biggest and best decisions that we could make. I’m excited to make many more big decisions and adventure with my beautiful bride to be!