Forget the candlelit dinners; our "meet-cute" was a January 2016 beer pong night at Paddy Kelly's. It was his friend Joshs birthday, and he had dragged Anthony out for some "friendly" competition. I was there with my friend Heather to play as well. Let’s just say our team names were so "creative" (and questionable) that the ice didn't just break—it shattered. Josh, definitely the bolder one of the duo, marched right up to Heather and me between rounds. By last call, we’d laughed so much that swapping info felt like a no-brainer. Our first date followed just a few days later: Anthony picked me up in his Camaro for a high-stakes trip to grab my new glasses, followed by dinner at British Beer Company. While that date led to a few more, the timing just wasn't on our side, and we eventually went our separate ways. It was Labor Day weekend 2018. After a day on the lake, a random Instagram notification prompted me to finally reach out to the man I’d never forgotten. Anthony was having a guys' night at Josh’s, and I had no problem crashing the party. I was a nervous wreck after so much time apart, but the second I walked in and saw him smiling back at me, those nerves completely vanished. After nine years, plenty of "not-so-subtle" hints, and a few false starts, the timing was finally perfect for the ultimate surprise. In October 2025, I was frantically organizing a "Welcome Party," totally oblivious to the fact that Anthony was planning to hijack the entire event. With Heather’s help—who successfully distracted me with a morning of mani-pedis and "errands"—the stage was set. While almost every friend and family member there was in on the secret, I remained blissfully clueless until Anthony literally stole the wine out of my hand and dropped to one knee. It’s a moment I’ll be smiling about for the rest of my life. The ring was stunning, the delivery was flawless, and—it’s safe to say—he did good. We couldn't be happier that our paths finally aligned. What began as a random birthday beer pong tournament has blossomed into a life full of game nights, family holidays, and concerts. Between our shared circle of friends and our growing "small pack" of puppies, our world is fuller than we ever imagined. We’re counting down the days until September and can’t wait to celebrate the official start of our "forever" with all of you.