Back in 2012, The Amazing Spiderman first graced movie screens worldwide. As avid fans and cosplayers of this series, David and Melanie were both approached to appear as their respective characters at a special showing of the movie. What characters were these, you may ask? Spiderman and MJ of course! You must be thinking, did the stars align? Angels sing? Fireworks explode? Well,... no. They talked, laughed, forged the foundation to a friendship, and then a week later Melanie moved to Minnesota for school. In most stories, this would be the end, but mayhaps just a couple of stars did align that day.

Over the course of the next 3-4 years, Melanie would miraculously appear back in Florida every now and again to visit. The two would reconnect at the annual holiday parties held by their friends, every time noticing something new. Melanie realized small talk with David never actually sucked. David realized he enjoyed the short conversations they would have. Melanie realized she actually was looking forward to seeing him at these events. David realized that he was seeking her out whenever they were at the same party. And yet, it still took almost 4 years for them to get their stuff together and see where this could go.

In 2015, Melanie decided to like an image David posted on Facebook (ah, the beginning of every modern love story). In 0.21567 seconds, David slid into her DMs. They, as in their past encounters, spoke, laugh, made stupid jokes. Only difference this time, David actually asked her out at the end of their conversation. Melanie only had a few days left before leaving to Minnesota, so she decided to take the chance (as if it failed miserably, she would be disappearing soon anyways). She meets him in Miami and David decided to start of the date with his biggest card up his sleeve... Steve's Pizza. Which was amazing! Between the two of them, they destroyed an extra large pizza (to David's surprise). Then, to his further surprise, Melanie ate even more when they randomly decided to get sushi afterwards. Then, she ate even more at the ice cream shop after that. David still says he's never seen a girl eat so much in a date. Though he apparently liked this, because he chose to kiss her in the middle of that ice cream shop as she was rambling about Batman. Melanie just thought he really liked Batman. As they walked around and Melanie was followed by no less than 3 bunnies, a squirrel, and some ducks, David thought that this could actually be something (and that Melanie was a Disney Princess of some sort). But, as was the trend, Melanie left to Minnesota 2 days later.

The return to Minnesota didn't stop the two though. They were talking everyday, whether through text, Skype, or phone calls. The distance seemed both large and oh so small at the same time. The two were counting the days until Melanie's next break, thus her return to Florida. Then David made a fortuitous mistake. He joked that he would fly up for Valentine's Day. Which Melanie did not realize was a joke and got super excited. So, David realized he now was required to fly up for Valentines. To Duluth. During the coldest month of the year. When it was -40f... But he was a man of his word and bought the tickets the next day. A month later, David was in Minnesota and his first thought was it wasn't as cold as he thought. Then he stepped outside. Despite the tundra he was now in, the couple had an amazing time, trying new foods, checking out the sights, crying that Melanie's heater broke halfway through the trip. On Valentine's day, David asked for the two of them to be official and Melanie more than happily said yes. And then David played his reverse uno card and left to Florida the next day.

The next 3 years flew by. Melanie finished pharmacy school and moved back to Florida. David and her began their life together, learning how to be in a relationship in the same state. David introduced her to Magic the Gathering. Melanie got David hooked on DND. The two adopted a dog. Then another dog. Then saved another one, which never left the house. All in all, life was beautiful. David finally decided he was ready to pop the question and wanted all their dogs to be involved. So one morning in August 2018, David got all the dogs in one room and dressed them up in their best outfits. Which may have been his first mistake. He put the ring on Bonnie's bowtie and led them to the bedroom, where Melanie was. As he released the dogs into the room, all hell broke loose. Red was running around the room, all hyper. Honeybee jumped on the bed and started rolling around. Delilah was protesting her dress and trying to take it off using the wall. And then, there was Bonnie, who was attempting to chase all of them at the same time. As Melanie was trying to help herd the animals, David watched in horror as Bonnie shook both the bowtie and the ring off her, which then preceded to hit to roof and fly off into the ether. David stealthily retrieved the ring, put the bowtie back, and literally threw Bonnie at Melanie, telling her to fix the bowtie. Melanie, confused, looked down and froze at the sight of the ring. David took Bonnie back, put her on his knee, and asked Melanie if she would marry him. She happily said yes. And no one flew away this time.