Zack and I first crossed paths long before we ever imagined a future together. At the time, he and my cousin Myles had become line brothers; two lives aligning without any idea of what that connection would eventually lead to. We were strangers then, unaware that our story had already begun unfolding. One ordinary afternoon, I ran into Zack at Walmart. It was a simple conversation, nothing I gave much thought to, but apparently, it meant far more to him. Right away, he let Myles know that he was interested in me. I didn’t know it then, but that brief moment planted a seed. A few months later, we hung out for the first time at Mulligan’s, a local bar. That day, Zack casually, but confidently, called me his wife, speaking into existence what neither of us could see coming. When Myles, the social butterfly he is, wandered off and left me sitting alone at the table, Zack didn’t hesitate. He walked over to Myles and asked, “Why is my wife sitting all alone?” Even though Myles had already given him my number, Zack still wanted to ask me for it himself. He was so nervous that he forgot—and had to ask Myles again anyway. From the very beginning, his intentions were genuine, sweet, and a little unforgettable. We dated for a while, but as life often does, our careers and personal goals pulled us in different directions. Though we cared for each other, we needed time to grow individually, and our paths separated. Then came COVID, and with it, a second chance. A year and a half later, we found our way back to each other, this time with clarity, maturity, and intention. We were deliberate about our relationship and our goals. We spent holidays together, learned each other’s families, traveled, laughed, and built something real and steady. On Thanksgiving 2025, Zack planned a trip to New York City, one of the most magical places in the world. In the city where dreams feel possible, he asked me to spend forever with him. And without hesitation, I said YES.