Pierson and I met on the third day at Liberty, where he sat beside me during a card game and gave me a winning card suggestion. While we may not have won the hand, it was not long before he had won my heart. Instantly we knew that whenever we were together, life was simply better. From that moment on, we became hype buddies at football games, late-night snack runners to Sheetz, the number-one hockey game fans, and the library's most frequent attenders. Whether studying or going on walks, Pierson and I always knew how to brighten each other's day and laugh at everything that came our way. It did not take long--though our dating title took a little longer to catch up--for us to realize that we had found our person, and we did not want ever to let go.

August 13, 2022. BEST. DAY. EVER. Charleston, South Carolina. Dare I even say more? It all began with a 6.5-hour car ride where Pierson sat beside me drenched in sweat and pit stains, with me beside him curled into a blanket with icicles down my nose. Hint? Maybe! Except for the Chapman boys, sweating is expected, and as for Parry girls, well we are always cold. Pierson had never been to Charleston before, so to my knowledge our plans would consist of exploring the city for the next couple of days, spending time with his sweet family, and showing him some of my favorite spots. However, little did I know all that Pierson had planned. The only plan that I was aware of was that he had booked reservations that night at Magnolia's in downtown Charleston--a place that his mother highly recommended. But, he convinced me that was the totality of his plans, so for all of dinner I talked his ear off about all the things we could possibly do that evening to soak up all our time. However, no plan I could have ever dreamt of could have amounted to all that Pierson had planned next... After dinner, Pierson said he would like to stop somewhere else before we would go watch the sunset. Truthfully though I was a little weary of where he wanted to go since this was Pierson's very first visit to Charleston. I became even more nervous when we pulled into a parking lot near a sketchy gas station, a local seafood dive bar, and a marina lined with boats. But when I saw Pierson pull out his backpack, instantly my heart began to flutter in wonder and anxious expectation --- though I was totally psyching myself out at the possibility. As we walked around the complex, Pierson began leading me --very slowly, I might add, than my preferred speed -- down the docks towards lines of beautiful and massive boats. I saw people ahead of us and signs that said that access to the public is prohibited, so instantly, I am begging Pierson to turn around before we get found out. Little did I know that down the next turn of boats was a 50-foot sailboat named "Fate" waiting anxiously for our arrival. As we get closer to the boat, the captain walks toward us and puts his hand out to shake Pierson's. Standing hesitantly back a few steps, I give the unmistakable look of confusion, convinced that this man is looking for someone else. Yet, once again, I was pleasantly fooled. The next moment we were removing our shoes and stepping onto the most beautiful sailboat to be ours for the next few hours. I was instantly excited to check off one of my most oversized bucket list items to a magnitude that I never dreamt possible. For an hour or so, we sailed the Charleston harbor, taking in the beautiful sights, people, fellow boats, and the time together--all the while, our talented captains snuck secret shots of us together. Not long before Pierson said he had to use the restroom, he returned with a letter in hand and asked me to go with him to the front of the boat. Shaking in nerves, with a heart rate off the charts, Pierson handed me a card with the most beautiful sentiment I will cherish forever that ended simply with "..." As I looked up to him, with eager expectation and tears in my eyes, he positioned himself beautifully on one knee. It did not take more than a couple of words to take him in my arms and say yes, more than I could count. And at the sound of the conch shell horn, as we sailed into the most beautiful sunset, all of Charleston got to watch the moment we became ENGAGED.