While the pandemic was in many ways quite horrible, it did give everyone a chance to breathe and think. It was during this time right after graduating from Miami that Eric made the decision to come out to his family and close friends. As Eric was getting ready to embark on his next journey as a graduate student, he decided it was time to lean into his true identity. He joined the Facebook group "OutGrad," which was an LGBTQ+ group offered to UF graduate students. Eric saw that Facebook specified those who recently joined the group. On that list, he came across a PhD English candidate named Tyler Klatt. Eric was struck with Tyler's smile and decided to message him ;) He thought "While this guy is way out of my league, I might as well give it a chance." Eric asked Tyler if he wanted to do a phone call since he was not going to be in Gainesville for a few months. Instead, Tyler requested a FaceTime call. Nervously, Eric accepted the challenge and the FaceTime went well. For the next few months, Eric and Tyler spoke every single day, playing the online game "Plants vs Zombies" together on the XBOX. It was through this game that the two of them really grew close as friends. When Eric finally moved to Gainesville, he made plans to meet Tyler for the first time in-person at the famous Satch Squared at Fifth Avenue Food Park. While Eric was very nervous as per usual, his demeanor and humor won Tyler over. They were eating their pizza on an outside bench when dozens of flies swarmed the table in the hot Florida sun. Eric decided he would take one of his pieces of pizza and "sacrifice" it to the flies as he placed it on another bench far away from them. It was in this moment, Tyler started to realize that this friendship might have the potential to be more. As months past, Eric and Tyler naturally became boyfriends. While they knew their love was strong, it was going to have to be put to the test over long distance as Eric accepted a job in New York after graduating while Tyler had to finish his last semester at UF. After many trips from Florida to New York, it was finally time for them to move in together and build their home in New York. When Tyler finally got to New York, Eric knew it was just a matter of time until he wanted to "pop the question." Eric knew that they were going to be going on a 7-day Canadian cruise in July and decided this would be the perfect time. Prior to the cruise, Eric reached out to the cruise line to ensure the proposal would go perfectly. As Eric and Tyler went back to their cabin on the second night of the cruise, their cabin attendant must not have gotten the memo that this was a surprise proposal. He goes on to tell them that he heard "this was going to be a very special night." With a lot of convincing, Eric was able to convince Tyler that the cabin attendant had no idea what he was talking about. After all, it was very rare that Eric lies. After getting through that roadblock, it was time for the proposal. It was June 30th, 2024 and Eric had to get Tyler towards the back of the ship by 6:00. Eric tells Tyler that because of formal night, they needed to dress up and take pictures outside. Tyler being Tyler insisted they take pictures inside first to not mess up his hair. While Eric played along taking pictures inside, he was shaking and Tyler asked if he was okay. Shakily, Eric insisted he was hungry and for Tyler to come outside with him now. As they make their way to the back of the ship, the area was roped off for a "private event." No matter what Eric said, Tyler would not cross the rope in fear of interrupting someone's special moment. Little did he know, it was his. The cruise crew saw what was going on and convinced Tyler that the event had "ended." Finally, Eric dropped down on one knee and asked Tyler to marry him as the song "Simply the Best" played out loud. And the rest is history. They are so excited to share their wedding day with their favorite people and are counting the days!