In the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at NYU Langone Medical Center, we fell in love over chest compressions, morning conferences, and evening handoffs. It was clear from every moment we spent with each other that there was something special about the other person.

The Nuyorican Poetry Cafe was the place Karen and I had our second official date. That night was pure magic! Each poet on stage captured the collective consciousness of the masses of people present and left an indelible impression on us, prompting us to vow to someday return. That someday would be four years later and that occasion would be to mark the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. I've written poetry in the past, but have never taken the stage to share something so personal and intimate in nature like this. After auditioning and being chosen to do a segment on stage, the surprise was officially underway. The evening was passed off as a couple's date night, and at approximately 11:55pm on Oct. 11, 2019 I took the stage to ask the love of my life to marry me. In front of a crowd of 200+ people, I knelt down and asked Karen to spend the rest of her life with me!

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