Our Story: We met in a place neither of us expected to fall in love — at church, during a revival. Both of us had come with the same intention: to focus on our personal goals, our healing, and our relationship with God. Romance wasn’t part of the plan… but fate has a sense of humor. For three days straight, we kept catching each other’s eyes. A glance here, a shy smile there — both of us pretending we weren’t paying attention, even though we definitely were. I was too timid to speak to him, and he was too focused to make the first move. Finally, on day three, I gathered the courage to walk over and say “hi,” and that one moment changed everything. Once we started talking, we didn’t stop. Our connection was immediate, warm, and surprisingly natural. I never expected to see so much of myself reflected in someone I had been too shy to approach, but life has a way of revealing its best gifts when we least expect them. Our First Date: A little while later, on a cold day in February 2023, he picked me up from work for our first official outing — lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. I remember being so nervous. It was my first time going out with a man in that way, and I didn’t want to say the wrong thing or move the wrong way. But once again, the moment we were together, everything felt easy. That date became a sweet memory — one that neither of us knew would matter so much later. The Proposal Fast forward to December 31, 2025. Shinaider told me to dress nicely because we were going out for brunch. What I didn’t realize was that he was taking me out at the same time of day as our very first date — a quiet nod to where our journey really began. When we arrived, he stalled by having us walk around for a bit, giving himself time to make sure everything was set. And when we finally walked into the restaurant, it felt like the entire space paused just for us. There, waiting on the table, was a beautiful bouquet and balloons — and a piece of my favorite cake with “Will you marry me?” written in chocolate. Before I could even process it, he was kneeling behind me. I cried instantly — the happy, overwhelmed, “this is really happening” kind of cry. And all that was left to say was "yes!"