Erika and Conner’s story began a bit unexpectedly. They met in one of those casual “you should totally get to know this person” kind of ways. What started as a friendship, slowly blossomed into something more. It wasn’t until their first brunch date that Erika realized she was feeling something deeper than just friendship. Conner, of course, was playing it a little cool — while Erika was the one who gave him her number and set up the date, he had to "check his calendar" to see if he was free...clearly he was a very busy guy. It didn’t take long after that before things clicked. In a matter of a couple of months, they were practically inseparable. Soon Erika had a key to Conner’s apartment and a drawer in his dresser. After six months of dating they moved in together, adopted two cats (thank you Sarah and Donna), and began weaving their lives into one shared story. While Conner and Erika continued to share many of life's routine milestones, they also embarked on a series of unforgettable travel experiences together. Whether it was getting to relax in the Dominican Republic, navigating states across the U.S., or trying to decipher Google Maps in Europe (which, unsurprisingly, never quite worked), every trip has brought them closer. The destinations may have varied, but the real highlight has always been the time they’ve spent together—laughing through the chaos and discovering new parts of the world (and each other). Next came the unexpected adventure. On June 29th, 2024, Erika’s sister, Lauren, and her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Rachael, had planned a girls’ day at Leu Gardens. Erika had no idea what was about to happen. As they wandered through the gardens, Conner emerged from behind some foliage and dropped to one knee. It was, without a doubt, the first easiest “yes” Erika has ever given. Now, back in North Florida, Erika and Conner are ready to see what the next chapter holds. Whatever life brings their way, they’ll face it together, knowing that the best part of every adventure is the person you get to share it with.