We're getting married!

It all started on a Friday night, a few years ago, when I met her through a mix of family and friends. My cousin had been raving about his friend’s cousin, who was coming into town, so naturally, we all decided to hit up the local bar. The moment I walked in, there she was—sitting at the bar, laughing with her friends, her smile lighting up the room. My cousin gave me the nudge, “That’s her,” he said, nodding toward the group. I made my way over, trying to play it cool, though I’m sure I looked anything but. We started chatting—about the usual stuff at first, work, hobbies, and how small the world felt with all the family connections flying around. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and before I knew it, hours had passed. We shared stories about growing up, and I learned she had a great sense of humor, making me laugh more than I thought was possible. As the night went on, we ended up outside the bar, the cold air a welcome change after the heat of the crowd. My cousin and her friend had wandered off, leaving us to chat alone. We talked about everything—life, travel, and how we both had a soft spot for dive bars. It felt easy. Like we’d known each other much longer than just a few hours. By the end of the night, we exchanged numbers. I was already looking forward to seeing her again, and it didn’t take long. One date turned into another, and then another, until one day, I found myself not just falling for her, but realizing that I never wanted to stop. It’s funny how something so simple, like hanging out at the bar with family and friends, can lead to the person you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with.