Like many modern romances, ours began on a dating app. It wasn’t anything dramatic at first, but Nick, persistent and charming, always loves to mention how he had to double text me just to get me to say yes to a date. And honestly? I’m so glad he did. Our first date was at a not-so-great restaurant in Portland—nothing to write home about in terms of food—but we ended up sitting there talking for three hours. Well, I talked for three hours. Nick listened, just like he always does. That dynamic hasn't changed. I talk a lot, and Nick just lets me while being so patient, kind and always tuned in to whatever I have to say. When I first saw him, I immediately noticed how tall he was and those ridiculously pretty eyes. Our second date happened just three days later—because, in his words, he was desperate to see me again. And from that day on, we’ve been best friends. The kind of friends who laugh until their bellies hurt. Who have fun doing absolutely nothing. Enjoying the mundane everyday tasks together, who can't wait for their next adventure. And somewhere along the way, I realized I was in love with him. Not because of a single moment, but because of every little thing. I fell in love when I saw how deeply he supported me—sometimes in ways I didn’t even know I needed. Holding me and taking car of me when I need and being present to my feelings. He has never brushed off my wild ideas; he helped bring them to life. He’s always dreams of our future—of what we will do together. There’s something beautiful about being loved like that, by someone who believes in you so fully. We now share our lives with our two dogs, Sadie and Jax, who are as inseparable as we are. They’re a part of our little world—full of love, chaos, laughter, and loyalty. And then came the proposal that Nick, so perfectly planned just for me. He curated an entire day filled with all my favorite things. We went shopping, I wore a beautiful dress, and he took me to see the paintings and art at the museum—places that light me up. The grand finale? A surprise reservation at The Republic of Texas, the fanciest restaurant in Corpus Christi. Unbeknownst to me, the waitress was in on the whole thing. Nick had secretly handed her his phone and let her know he’d propose after dessert. After our amazing meal, he brought up ordering something sweet. I told him I was full and didn’t need dessert. But Nick was insistent—we had to order dessert. As we waited, he started telling me how beautiful I looked. I was being silly, winking and laughing, and then—suddenly—he stood up, dropped to one knee, and everything stopped. I started freaking out (in the best way), smiling so big my cheeks hurt. He asked me to marry him, and I had to take a deep breath because in that moment, all of my wishes were coming true. And I said yes.

I met Sami the way many people meet these days—through a dating website. But from the start, I knew she wasn’t like anyone else. I had to double message her just to get a reply. She wasn’t interested at first, or maybe just hesitant, but I couldn’t give up. There was something about her, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and I wasn’t going to let the conversation end without giving it my best shot. Thankfully, she responded. We talked for weeks before we met in person. Our first date was at Pepe’s in Portland. I remember being so nervous that I showed up nearly half an hour early. I waited, heart pounding, watching every car that pulled in—and then she arrived. The moment I saw her walking toward the restaurant, I just knew there was something different about her. Something special. Sami is a talker, and I’m more of a listener. That night, I remember sitting across from her, completely captivated. She talked about her life, asked me about mine, and I found myself hanging onto every word. I could’ve stayed in that booth with her forever. The date lasted nearly three hours, but it felt like minutes. When we finally said goodbye, I took a deep breath and asked her out again. To my surprise—and relief—she said yes. We dated for a year, but I knew much sooner than that she was the one. I had a custom engagement ring made and hid it in the house for months, just waiting for the right moment. That moment came on our one-year anniversary at The Republic of Texas restaurant. I had reserved us a table overlooking the water and coordinated with the waitress to film the big moment after dinner. As I reached for the ring, my hands were shaking, I was nervous, excited, and hopeful all at once. I looked at her, this incredible woman who had changed my life, and I asked her to marry me. When she said yes, my world lit up. The table next to us burst into applause, but all I could focus on was her—my future. Now, I get to wake up every day next to the love of my life. I’m living a dream I never thought possible, and I thank God every day for answering my prayers. Sami is my best friend, my greatest blessing, and the most beautiful part of my story