It started with my friend Matt and I going to a coffee shop at Bryan College where Elizabeth worked. This wasn't the first time I'd seen Elizabeth, but this was the first time that I actually talked to her. Usually, I'm shy with pretty girls, but, with Elizabeth, it was different. Matt told me that Elizabeth was an artist, so I asked to see something that she had drawn, but Elizabeth didn't want to show me. I kept asking her, but she wouldn't show me. So, I made a deal with her. I'd draw something for her, and she would draw something for me. I can't draw, but I was determined to see her art. I would see her from time to time in the library, and we'd flirt. We would talk about our drawings. I tried to draw Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and it had demon eyes haha. A few weeks later, it was the end of the semester. We had been texting back and forth, and I nonchalantly said maybe we should go out, and she said something like "I'm free tomorrow." That really took me by surprise because I wasn't expecting her to say yes right then. I figured she would be too busy packing up to go home. But, we went on a hike and it was really great. We talked for a long time and even did some swimming too. She was so captivating; even now after three or four years, I still can find new things that make me see how beautiful she is. The last day of school came, and she handed me this beautiful drawing of a dreamcatcher. Over the summer, we texted back and forth. That next semester we spent more and more time together, then I "finally" asked her to be my girlfriend. She would say that it was long overdue which is probably true, but we were happy. Since that time, we've gone through a lot. We have had several tough things happen to us. No doubt it was hard. There were times when we weren't sure we'd make it, but we persevered. Elizabeth was good to me in those times; she sacrificed a great deal for me. I love her for that because I needed her. She's the one for me.

"Caleb, the ducks!! The ducks!!" I saw Caleb first as I came down the airport walkway beaming with his goofy smile. Normally I would be embarrassed ...but a few weeks apart makes my heart grow a little fonder and my feet move a little quicker. As he pulls me into a big hug I remember how much I miss him. Living so far apart now I don't see him much. We pile into the car in a rush to be home. Casually he tells me we will make a stop on the way home and I agree, thinking it will be one of our usual drives. I see that we are pulling into the park we so often visit. He pulls off to the side, where we always park near the water and tells me to get out. I noticed a new dock and thought to myself "he must want to show me it". Just as I go to get out, I see the ducks- I won't get out I told him stubbornly. He rolls his eyes and tells me he will get them away. Finally they get far enough away to persuade me out of the car. Just as I get out, the ducks come back! I didn't take my eyes off the pushy little things. Caleb behind me kept saying my name and all I was saying was "the ducks Caleb! get the ducks!" Finally he grasped my arm and pulled me around and I was completely taken aback. There he was on his knee with a ring! He asked and I said yes! He handed it to me and I handed it back telling him it goes on my finger. I was ecstatic and it was gorgeous, it couldn't have been a sillier or more perfect moment.