The minute I met him, I knew he was someone special. When we talked, he said things before I could say them. Even if it was just some random movie quote or bursting into song because of something someone said. I told JayBird that night that I was going to marry him, then busted out giggling "Oh lord, I'm in trouble!" I lived in Duluth and he was down in St. Paul, so our paths would cross for conventions and concerts over the next few years. Even though I didn't talk to him every day, I still considered him one of my best friends. No matter what happened, if one of us needed the other, we were there. We watched each other go through failed relationships and were there to pick each other up. We called each other out if we needed to, and we drank the bad ones away. There was always electricity, and we were good together, but we didn't want to do the long distance thing. For whatever reason, we just never tried to see if it would work between us. Until one day. Every year, our group of friends always go to the same convention. Our annual get-together, no matter what is going on, we always try to be there. We had both been through breakups, so I messaged Mike and told him the room was on me. He better be there, no excuses. I may have gotten super giggly when he said he would go. This time would be different though, because I watched a movie called "We Bought A Zoo". Confusing, I am sure; so I will continue. Every time I saw Mike, I would literally get chills. I knew if something clicked... it would be the most magical thing of all time. There was a line in the movie where the guy says "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." We got to the hotel, checked in and did the obligatory SHOTS! and then of course our conversations spiraled into the utter despair of our respective personal lives. I decided, fuck it, here's my 20 seconds. So I looked over at him, with tears running down my face and I told him... I've been in love with you since the day I met you. And I don't know why we haven't tried before, probably the distance. But I think that if we did try, we could have it all. We left that weekend with a plan to put in the effort and give it a real try. By Halloween, we were "official" and when Poe and I went down south for a short visit during Thanksgiving, we only returned north to gather our things and make the move to be a family. March of 2024 brought that meaning to a new level. Poe had been thinking about asking Mike to adopt him for a while, and he was getting closer to his 18th birthday. There was no hesitation, Mike jumped at the chance. Lots of paperwork and a date with a judge, bound us all closer together forever. We began our traveling journey earlier this year and have learned so much about ourselves, our family, and how to communicate and love each other. We've faced some of the most stunning and awe-inspiring views, and some of our biggest challenges in 2025. By March, we had visited 14 states already and we were back in Minnesota for some rest and time with family. March 10th, 2025 is the day Mike asked me to marry him. In his own special way, which I will giggle and swoon over every time I think about it. We had the marriage talk in the past, but my interpretation of that conversation was that it was not in the cards for us. It was not a priority or a goal that he had, not that he didn't believe in it or anything. It just wasn't on his radar as "the goal". Which was fine by me, I was not giving any ultimatums. Once we hit the third anniversary, I had resigned to it not happening. Did I want to marry him? Yes. Would I crumble into a million pieces crying tears of unimaginable joy if he ever asked me? Yes. Did I ever think it was going to happen? No. Then it did. And now you are all caught up!