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Derek’s and I love story definitely has a 21stcentury twist to it. We didn’t lock eyes and know instantly we were meant for one another, in fact I don’t believe Derek even knew I existed prior to us meeting. This is my version on ‘How We Met’ – Little hint Derek still doesn’t believe I thought what I did to this day. I was “talking/dating” a mutual friend my sophomore year when Derek showed up in his Chevy Cobalt at a small get together the weekend after Homecoming. The moment he stepped out of his car, wow, I thought to myself I hope one day we’ll be together. Since I was in a relationship I couldn’t and wouldn’t pursue anything, so I decided to introduce him to one of my good friends. Yep, I did that! Luckily for me that introduction didn’t lead to anything, and my relationship ended a few weeks later. Out of the blue Derek began messaging me, I couldn’t believe it, and thought to myself did he pick up on what I was thinking just a few weeks earlier? We continued messaging for a few weeks, until one day Derek asked me to go to the movies with him, of course I said yes and that began the first chapter of our love story. High school sweethearts? I was 14 he was 17, so yes, we are. Lifetime partners? Absolutely. Take it from me, never give up on your dreams, I didn’t, and I landed the man of my dreams, and my best friend for a lifetime.

If you read my version of “How we Met” our proposal story shouldn’t come as any surprise to you. Derek and I lost our way as a couple, and separated, but found our way back to each other after a year apart. It is true what they say, you never realize what you have until it’s gone. I was faced with a potentially life altering health crisis, and during that time the only person, outside of my parents, that I wanted and needed by my side was Derek. So, I did what came natural for me and I reached out to him not knowing how well I’d be accepted. To my surprise he was open to talking, you know to get “closure”, so we met up. The comfort, and warmth I felt with him during our discussion about my health made me realize everything was going to be alright. Our chemistry, our history, our love instantly came back so we decided to try “us” again and see what would happen. Thankfully my health crisis was averted! After Derek and I reconnected late 2018 we attended a New Year’s Eve party together, there is something with these get togethers for him and I. You could say I was under the influence, hey it was NYE, my health crisis was averted, we found our way back to each other, and I never wanted to be without him again, so I decided it was now or never. I made a ring out of a paper clip, got down on one knee, and I proposed to Derek! Of course, Derek told me to get up, pretty sure he didn’t think I was serious, but I knew what I wanted, and that was a life with him forever. Once he realized I wasn’t joking, he said YES!! If you ask Derek he’ll tell you he had planned to ask me to marry him just before we broke up a year earlier, but in the end, I asked, and he said yes. I never want to imagine my life without my best friend, and now I don’t have to. So yes, I proposed to him, and luckily for me here we are.