Flashback to August 2013. I'm at freshman orientation at UT Arlington when I see a human being standing feet above everyone else, passing out pamphlets for something called "FLOC". Didn't know what it was, didn't care - but you better believe I wanted that pamphlet. As was my luck, someone swooped in to talk to him before I got there. I later decided (after finally realizing what Freshman Leaders on Campus was) to apply and interview; lo and behold, I was seated right across from this handsome face, and toootally trying to impress him. When the time came for one on one interviews and he requested to interview me, I knew it - BOOM, I'm in, he's in love. No. He wasn't. Fast forward through about three months' worth of me flirting, inviting myself to places he was, and putting on the charm when he finally uttered those three magical words: "Wanna hang out?" A month for the first kiss, two years for the first I love you, and seven years later here we are - and BOOM I'm in, I'm in love.

I would like to say the proposing to Emma was going to be a simple task – I have no idea what I was thinking. The plan was for two of her closest friends, Maci and Averie, to plan a girl’s day in Dallas where they would hang out and explore all the mimosas Dallas had to offer. Then, at sunset, they would take her to a rooftop in Dallas where they would have a mini “photoshoot”. I would then receive Emma with have roses laid out in a heart shape and big letters that say “Marry Me”. Everybody knows that rule #1 for a proposal was to make sure she had her nails done for the big day. By coincidence, Emma already had gotten her nails done a week prior so already the biggest rule was taken care of. And she had her eye lash extensions already done and she had a hair appointment on Friday (day before the proposal) was scheduled so everything was smooth sailing a week prior to the proposal.

5 days before the proposal • Emma removes her eyelash extensions because it’s encroaching summer and she wants to be able to jump in pools and do all these mermaid things. • Eric casually suggest to wait to remove them until May – plan does not work 4 days before the proposal • Emma gets pedicure with Kiley and decides to remove her nails because she was “sick of them” • Eric’s anxiety rises 3 days before the proposal • Mariah convinces Emma to get her nails done with her. •Mariah unfortunately gets sick; has to cancel • Eric feels the gray hairs forming 2 days before proposal • Laura attempts to get Emma to get her nails done with her • Emma does not respond – classic Emma • Eric is a wreck – classic Eric 1 day before the proposal • Emma cancels her hair appointment. Don’t remember the reason. It probably interfered with her nap time. • Eric has no grasp on reality anymore Day of the proposal • Emma contemplates canceling on Maci and Averie • Emma wants to wear athletic clothes to this girls day • Emma is telling Eric of all her excuses she plans on making so she can leave early 1 hour before the proposal • Eric and Laura show up to the rooftop to set up the roses • Roses fly everywhere and don’t stay in place • Eric decides to INDIVIDUALLY tape as many roses as he can as time is running out • Laura laughs at Eric the whole time • Security guard walks by the area as Laura and Eric hide to not get kicked out • Eric sweats through his clothes 30 seconds before the proposal • Eric hides behind a rooftop unit to wait for his cue • Eric sees Emma walking towards the spot • Emma exclaims “looks like someone got proposed to here!” 5 seconds before the proposal • Eric walks up to Emma • Eric forgets all the words in the English dictionary – he is enamored • Emma – “wait, what’s happening” 1 minute after the proposal • Eric becomes eternally happy to spend his life with his best friend