No Bride Because We Have Pride!

More than four years ago we began talking but realized it wasn’t the right time for us. Two years later, we connected, nervously went on our first date, kissed under the rain that night as we said our goodbyes and haven’t stopped going on dates ever since. With Jim’s enjoyment for nature and animals and Erik’s city living, their different interests quickly became each others new “something” to learn about. After many visits to Jim’s house and hobby farm, Erik began to grow from his city roots and dig deep into farm life. During this time, Erik took it upon himself to name a few of the animals and when doing so, fell in love with one sweet four-legged pup named Ruby. Erik and Ruby have been quite the pair ever since but they are no match for the love between Erik and Jim. With Jim's passion for animals, he has exposed Erik to things that Erik could've never imagined learning about. With Jim's easy going attitude and hard work ethic, he has pushed Erik out of his comfort zone.

It began as a regular Saturday with Erik waking up much later than Jim. They sipped and enjoyed their morning coffee before running errands for the day. What Jim didn't know is that Erik had a plan for when they returned. On the way out, Erik "forgot his wallet" but what he really needed to do was set up for the proposal. When they returned from their errands, a large black hexagonal box sat on the coffee table in the middle of the living room. Jim didn't see it. As Erik sat anxiously on the couch in front of this box, Jim took his time getting to the living room. After approximately 5 minutes, Jim arrived in the living, walked passed the large black box but still didn't see it. Finally after the third time, Jim noticed the box and asked what it was. Erik prompted him to open it and find out. As the neatly tied bow began to loosen, each side of the hexagonal box started to fall down and display various pictures of Jim and Erik together. Erik then prompted Jim to look inside each side of the box as they all held a special note for Jim to read aloud. In the center of this box rested a smaller hexagonal box. As Jim removed the lid of this inner box, each side of this smaller box displayed pictures again with notes in each side. Two more smaller boxes sat inside with pictures and notes. The fifth and final box was the smallest of them all and held the engagement ring. As Jim opened the ring box, Erik quickly attached a sign to Ruby's collar that read, "Will you marry daddy Erik?" This then gave Erik enough time to get down on one knee and pull out the ring from his pocket. Jim shifted his body towards Erik as Erik took a few deep breaths and said, "You are an incredible person and there is no one I would rather spend my life with. You make me a better person and have helped me grow so much. Will you marry me?" Jim then responded with, "Of course!"