Our first interaction was Daryl calling me to sign up for a new membership at his gym so that I wouldn't miss out the promotion which was ending soon. The following day I rushed into the gym while on my lunch break. I told the trainer at the desk that I was looking for Daryl as I wanted to set up personal training. Before I could finish my sentence I heard, "Kachira, right? Glad you could come in!" It was in that moment I froze, became nervous and in typical "Kachira" fashion, I became super awkward. I could barely look him in the eye. He talked me into 3 PT sessions a week for six months. I left quickly, claiming I was in a rush to get back to work in hopes of hiding that fact that I was a ball of nervous energy! Little did I know, this was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. It was all in God's timing. When Daryl and I met I was NOT looking for a serious relationship AT ALL. I was just trying to get my little fitness goals in check. I was definitely not looking for the, "girl mets boy at the gym” love story. Of course I began training at the gym regularly and Daryl was ALWAYS the first person to greet me. As time went on I found myself being a little disappointed if he wasn't there, but kept my feelings in check. Eventually we began to have conversations at the front desk and I got to know this guy everyone called, "Cope". One day while discussing the ridiculous number of unused sessions I had racked up, another member entered the gym. Daryl politely paused our conversation to introduce me to the other member as, "his future wife," *ABRUPT RECORD SCRATCH* yeah, this man is CRAZY, I thought to myself. I didn’t even know his number! Now knowing Daryl, I am sure this was a calculated move. I ended up adding him on Snapchat that same day. It was still another month and a half before I took his number and agreed to a date. As cliche as it may sound, we met at the gym. Those PT sessions were only the beginning and now I'm happy to be signing up for life!

I knew I was going to marry Kachira from the first day we met. When it came to deciding where I was going to propose I knew it had to be done at the Dali Museum. Kachira had only told me a million times before that she wanted to go. Once I found out the museum had a Sunday brunch, “Mimosas & Masterpieces,” I immediately began to put plans into place. I had a close friend call the Dali to make sure we could take pictures inside the museum and have a clear space for that moment. I had lunch with her father and got her “excused” from church. All she knew was that we were going on a double date with a close friend, who was an aspiring photographer, and his female friend. I told her he wanted to take some pictures in the garden for his portfolio. I knew she had no idea, it was going to be perfect. As we walked through the galleries my heart began to beat faster. Hiding the ring was a task in itself due to my choice of jeans that day. I think I faked using the restroom at least 5 times. Finally the time came. As I stalled for the camera to be set up, I distracted her by taking selfies on the balcony, we took at least fifty. The biggest moment of my life was about to take place and I was NERVOUS! I looked Kachira in her eyes and took the knee of my lifetime. My words began to crumble* out of my mouth as tears began to run down my face. When I asked her for her hand in marriage, that beautiful smile of hers came across her face, she tried to cover it with her hand and asked, “Are you serious?” I told her yes and that she was the only woman on earth I wanted to spend my life with. You see, a lot of people are willing to die for something but not many are willing to live for something. Kachira makes me want to live every single day. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing her smile. I promise to love her and make her smile every day until I take my last breath. My proposal was the best question I’ve ever asked and I am happy that she said YES!