Our Story- Makayla's Version It all started when I began a new job as a trauma RN. On my very first day, I walked in carrying my motorcycle helmet—and apparently, that was all the inspiration my preceptor Shawna needed. She immediately said, "I have the perfect guy for you!" (Honestly, I thought she meant a surgeon, but nope—turns out it was John.) At first, she wanted to set us up on a blind date, but both of us insisted on seeing photos. You know... just to make sure we weren’t being ambushed. I gave her the green light to pass along my number, and John reached out soon after. We planned our first date at Phantom Brewery. Now here’s where it gets interesting. Over beers, we bonded over the casual topics of… a heart attack (his) and brain surgery (mine). Nothing says romance like a little shared medical trauma, right? I had a concert that evening and genuinely needed to leave early—but his family was convinced it was just my backup escape plan. (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.) I wasn’t 100% sure how I felt after that first date—but then came Date #2. He spoke my love language: a hike followed by a brewery. We dove into the big topics—values, life goals, fears—and it felt so easy to be vulnerable with him. No judgment, just connection. But it was Date #3 that really sealed the deal. We were headed to Bar K for a little friendly ping pong competition. I (very confidently) told him to park in a spot that was clearly marked "NO PARKING." I said, "It’s fine—I park there all the time." Famous last words. His truck got towed. And what did he do? Totally calm, he smiled and said, “Well, I guess the night’s not over. Let’s go dancing.” So we danced the night away. He Ubered me home, and the next morning I picked him up to retrieve his towed truck. We had breakfast together, and somewhere between coffee and pancakes, I just knew—this was the man I was meant to be with.