After a rough day at work and too many delays getting home, I walked through the door feeling exhausted, only to find Brandon was about to completely transform the evening. A dozen roses, soft music playing, and a trail of photos capturing our adventures from the last two years greeted me. For those who know Brandon, you know sweet gestures like this aren’t unusual when he’s trying to lift my spirits. Earlier in the day, he’d said, “Fridays have a way of turning around,” and even mentioned, “I will try to have work wrapped up when you get home.” I barely noticed what was right in front of me until Brandon gently asked, “Are you going to come look at this?” Reluctantly, I walked over… and there it was. The most precious note I’ve ever read. It ended with the words that stopped time: “Will you do life with us? Marry me?” It took a few reads, and a bewildered, “Are you being serious?” before it fully sank in. Then, he moved a photo aside and revealed the ring. Through tears and hugs, I finally remembered to say yes to the man I’ve waited my entire life for. And he is absolutely worth the wait