It all started at the dealership in town, where both Brandon and I worked. Through our then co-worker, and now dear friend, Julie, the three of us began spending time together after work. What began as casual hangouts soon turned into a near-daily routine, and by the end of the summer, the bond between the three of us had grown incredibly close. Julie, knowing that Brandon and I had feelings for one another—though neither of us quite realized it at the time—decided to play the role of cupid. With her gentle encouragement, lunch dates and outings became more frequent, and as we spent more time together, we discovered just how much we had in common. It didn’t take long for us to fall for each other, and by the time autumn rolled around, our connection had blossomed into something truly special. Looking back, Julie’s subtle nudges were the perfect catalyst for what became a beautiful relationship between Brandon and me. Now, nearly ten years later, we’re preparing to marry, having spent all this time together as best friends and soulmates. And here's a fun tidbit: my mom, Sharon (who also worked at the dealership at the time), was the very last person to find out that Brandon and I were dating! For a while, it took a lot of effort to keep our relationship discreet.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning. Brandon and I had planned a long-awaited day trip to San Francisco. It had been far too long since we’d ventured out of town to simply enjoy ourselves, so we were both looking forward to the day ahead. Our first stop was the Starbucks near our house, where we’d both come to love their Bacon, Sausage, and Egg Wrap—a treat we hadn’t had in ages due to the pandemic and the frequent out-of-stock status. But, as luck would have it, they had them that morning! I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Oh, this must be a sign—it's going to be a great day!” What I didn’t know was that Brandon was thinking, “You have no idea.” We made our way to San Francisco with one main goal in mind: brunch at Plain Jane, where Brandon had been craving their New England Lobster Scramble. After indulging in our meal, we decided to take a walk in Golden Gate Park—a favorite post-feast tradition. This time, though, we ventured to an area we’d never explored before: the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden. It was there that I began to sense something was a bit off—Brandon seemed… different. And then it happened. “So, will you marry me?” I was completely stunned. Brandon, realizing in that moment that he’d forgotten the classic gesture, quickly got down on one knee and asked again, “Will you marry me?” Tears instantly sprang to my eyes as I fumbled through my emotions. I think I said “yes” through a mix of sobs and an overwhelming sense of disbelief, repeatedly asking, “Are you sure??” Then, in the distance, I heard excited screams. For a moment, I thought random onlookers were cheering us on. But then it hit me—the familiar voice was that of my cousin Faith. That’s when it dawned on me: my entire family had been in on this surprise! They were all there, watching the whole thing unfold. I had absolutely no clue. It’s funny because I have most of my family’s locations shared with me, but on that day, I never once thought to check. We were surrounded by congratulations, hugs, and happy tears, before heading out to dinner to celebrate. The restaurant buzzed with excitement, and it truly felt like a dream—like something straight out of a fairytale. Fun fact: My dad, being a little too excited, waved at Brandon behind my back, almost spoiling the surprise altogether!