Aloni and I first met at a time where I could have used a friend, and Jehovah knew exactly the person I needed at the time. She reached out to me and cared enough to see how I was doing. That's how we became friends. From there we only began to talk more and more and with every visit we grew closer as friends until one day we realized we cared about each other beyond just a friendship. The thing that brought us together is the same reason we are getting married today, and it's a simple word regardless of the love involved with it. Care. The best part about this is knowing that even though the care started as friendship, it's become a love that will last the rest of our lives.

Anthony suggested that going to the Botanical Gardens in the snow would make for some really beautiful pictures. I was honestly a little suspicious right out the gate since he typically hates taking pictures of himself, but I tried not to read too much into it. We walked around for some time, taking pictures of the snowfall on the trees, the frozen lily pads, the condensation on the windows in the tropical dome. Right there, in the courtyard in front of an adorable cottage, he asked me to marry him. In disbelief, I asked if he was serious. He said, "As serious as I'll ever be." We had his family and some of his longest friends there to witness the best moment of our lives (so far) with us. And we can't wait to experience the rest of our best moments with our friends and families by our side.