September 2008 sophomore year, we met in Ms. Livesay’s Honors Literature class. He was a star athlete and I was a star scholar. We soon became best friends. Two years later, senior year, we became a couple. We attended prom and celebrated graduation. November 2010 was the beginning of our love story.

We both went to separate colleges an hour away from each other. But we made the effort to see each other every chance we had. It was a difficult and trying experience. We stuck by each other through every obstacle and rejoiced in every achievement. We both graduated and continued to keep our eyes on our future.

June 16, 2018 we took a trip to the beach with some friends. It was very crowded so we stayed for a short time then made our way home. The whole time Shaquan was being very weird, and to be honest it was a little irritating. Finally we got home and had company waiting for us. I was too tired to go out and just wanted to forget about the way the day turned out. So Shaquan made some popcorn, made a blanket fort, and turned on a movie. The next few minutes are sort of a blurr. I got up to get something and when I turned around, there on one knee was Shaquan. In his hand he held a beautiful Halo diamond ring. Then I noticed his lips moving. The only words I heard was “I love you, I want to spend my life with you, will you marry me?” Obviously, I said “For real? Really? Like...for real?” After babbling “For real?” Several more times I found the word “YES!” He slid the ring on my finger and I have yet to wake up.