What can one say? It was love at first sight (for Tommy, anyway). Our conversations over the first few weeks were lively, enjoyable, and enlightening. They still are. I will always remember our first date—being shushed in the symphony, the frigid winter wind, our first genuine laugh. Every day reaffirms my love for Eme, shines light on some additional wonderful facet of her character. Her beauty. May God always continue to grace our relationship with love, warmth, mutual respect and effort.

It was supposed to be a romantic day on the slopes—majestic mountain peaks, fresh alpine air, and bright blue skies. Eme’s first day skiing. Anyone who knows Eme knows how graceful she is, good at everything she does. Still, it soon became pretty clear that maybe the proposal should wait until Eme was on more solid ground. Fast forward to dinner at a rustic Vermont farmhouse, duck confit, and the amber pink glow of the setting sun. On one knee, I asked Eme the most important question that I would ever ask her. With one word, she made me the luckiest man in the world.