WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

We were set up on a blind date by Jared, a best man, and Margaret, a bridesmate, to go to Ben Franklin's Sweet 16 dance when we were seniors. Little did Byron know, traditionally, seniors show up to to the Sweet 16 in ridiculous outfits for some unknown reason. We were cool? Anyway, Elena was wearing a thrift store prom dress that was sloppily cut earlier in the day to make it knee length. Under said lovely dress, she had on hot pink leggings! Cute look! This was clearly the start to a perfect evening... Byron was very nervous and shy, so we awkwardly and mostly silently danced the night away. That date (and the following prom) is probably why we didn't start dating till over 2 years later. At least something went right. We've been together ever since!

Byron had been planning to propose for over a year. He did lots of scheming with Elena's sister to find a ring via a secret Pinterest board. Naturally. We went to Austin for Labor Day weekend, and found out that both Elena's brother, Julian, and Elena's best friend, Margaret, had gotten engaged! Elena, not knowing the plans, was simply very excited for the happy couples! Byron had mixed feelings. He already had planned to propose around Elena's birthday, so would the other engagements cause him to alter his plans? Clearly not. Here's our story. The day before was Elena's birthday, and he said he hadn't finished her birthday card yet. The next day we went for a long walk in City Park. After strolling through the park aimlessly (he let Elena lead them around), Byron found a bench and gestured for Elena to sit down. He presented her card, which had a drawing he'd done of our notorious "hipster album cover" photo we'd taken years before (see "Our Playlist"). The inside of the card had a track list with major milestones in our relationship. The last one was left blank... First clue! There was also a note. At the end it read, "I think I've thought of the last milestone. Now close your eyes, and count to ten." He was on one knee. And she said yes.