we're getting married!

We started working with each other in May of 2022 at Publix's Customer Support department. Jonathon was working from home--still following COVID-19 procedures--so we're not sure of the exact day we met but it was probably around August 2022. After getting to know each other outside of work with a group of friends, Jonathon certainly made the first move(s) by giving me his jacket when it was cold, sitting next to me at the movie theater, or holding my hand when our group of work friends walked around in Downtown Lakeland on busy Friday nights. However, Jonathon still says that he didn't realize he was making any moves or giving any hints at the time. (Suuuuuure.... ;))

It was Valentine's Day and I had already had a suspicion that Jonathon may have liked me but I had nothing to solidify that theory. Early in the day, I walked over to his desk to ask a question and saw some Russell Stover chocolates next to his computer. He didn't acknowledge them at all while I was standing there so I assumed they weren't for me. While I was sad, I had to tell myself it was okay because I didn't really have a reason to expect him to get me anything for Valentine's Day. However, when I went back over to his desk before lunch, he surprised me with the chocolates and a bouquet of flowers in a pink vase. It was so special. After work, I had several bags of things to bring home, plus the flowers and chocolates, so Jonathon thoughtfully walked me out to my car. After opening the door to my own car for me, he asked me to be his girlfriend in the Publix parking lot. My response was "Oh my gosh, that's so cute!" Shortly after, I agreed to date him and changed his contact name in my phone to "boyfriend <3" to remind myself that I wasn't dreaming and I really had a boyfriend!

One day after our 18 month anniversary, Jonathon took me out on an evening date. He drove us downtown and we went to Revival. We talked about work and life for about 45 minutes. Next, Jonathon drove us to Lake Mirror. He said he just wanted to walk around and I was fine with that. The weather was nice and at 6pm it was the perfect amount of sunlight. We started over at Hollis Gardens and Jonathon told me about how he used to come to Lake Mirror to play Pokemon Go in 2015. I shared that this was where my high school senior photos were taken, where my cousin and I used to come to "see snow" growing up and across the lake was where I grew up performing at the Lakeland Community Theatre with my dad. Overall, Lake Mirror only provided good memories to both of us. We eventually walked over to the side of Lake Mirror farthest from LCT. Jonathon told me to look out at the lake and he would take a picture of me. So I turned out to face the fountain in the lake but soon after he told me to turn around. Right then, Jonathon was on one knee asking me to marry him. It was an easy yes! Through the tears (from both of us), I helped him stand up and he hugged me. The ring was still in the box at this point and as I lifted my arms to release him from the hug, I knocked the ring box out of his hand. Luckily the box closed and the ring did not fall out! Jonathon caught the box and quickly put the ring on my finger. It was, and still is, so gorgeous. While finishing our walk, we called and texted our families and everyone was so excited and supportive! To end the night, Jonathon took me to Carrabba's for the first time and we enjoyed our first meal as an engaged couple!