In summer 2009, we were both were selected by our middle school teachers to attend a daytime summer camp. Even though we lived on opposite ends of the city, sparks immediately flew at a lunch table one day. Anthony would play guitar songs for me, taught me how to play ping pong, and gave me long hugs at the bus stop. We texted nonstop on our flip phones, but a few months after the summer ended in 8th grade I decided to end things. We stayed friends throughout high school, always having a crush on one another but never finding the right timing. Sometimes we would stay up all night talking on the phone, and sometimes we wouldn't talk for months. When I moved away to Reno for college, our interactions lessened. But every time we did catch up, I always felt an indescribable connection to Anthony. Fast forward to 2020, and I found myself suddenly unemployed, newly single, and back living in Las Vegas for the first time in years. Anthony and I began talking again, and the sparks immediately returned. Talking with him had always felt like coming home somehow. Safe, but also exciting. We found joy in playing video games, rock climbing, and driving out into the desert together as we caught up on lost time. I always knew I wanted to come back to Philadelphia, and I did so after securing work again. On a trip to Zion National Park right before I left, Anthony gave me a promise ring made of his birthstone, peridot, and promised that he would save up money and join me out East. After a year of long-distance, Anthony moved out and we've been happily living in a West Philly apartment for 3 years since. We had our senior westie Halo for the rest of her golden years, and now have a younger shih tzu mix named Rupert. On our 5-year anniversary, Anthony brought me to our favorite local botanical garden for a picnic and proposed to me. The engagement ring is a custom design with both peridot gems from the promise ring, and heirloom diamonds from a ring my great-grandmother had. Afterwards, he surprised me with a celebration with close friends at our home and then a delicious dinner at a French restaurant. Anthony Joseph Aguilar is such a caring, patient, selfless, handsome, funny man and I'm so lucky to be with him. He has been giving me butterflies since I was 13 years old, and understands me so well. I can't wait for the adventures to come, and what the rest of our lives will be like together.