We met in the cafeteria at Mater Dei, or at least that's the first time I remember meeting Marcus. We had met one time before and Marcus remembers, but I was too distracted apparently. In high school, we did everything together. Football games, movie nights, late-night snack runs, and dances (even Prom when he thought I stood him up. I was just really late. Oops! He should be used to that by now.)

After high school, I went off to my dream school. UC Davis! Go Aggies! I was so excited, but that meant Marcus and I would have to do long distance. We made the most of it though. Marcus always managed to make his way up to Davis whenever he could and I flew back and forth every break. We racked up a lot of FaceTime hours during those years just to see the other's face, to have dinner together, or to watch whatever TV show we were currently obsessed with. Graduation day was the most surreal day for me. Not only did it mean that I finished my degree, but I was finally coming home!

Marcus and I love camping, but we love one place the most. Yosemite National Park. For those of you who haven't been, I would recommend you plan a trip. Marcus took me for the first time and I remember thinking that I had never seen such a beautiful place. We've made quite a few trips back over the years. It has become one of our favorite places to go. Due to COVID, however, we hadn't been able to visit Yosemite for over a year. Once it opened, Marcus had the great idea of going there before heading up to his annual family camping trip. I was beyond excited! When it got closer, he told me that our good friend Zoey wanted to take pictures while we were there. I thought sure why not. That was until I was told I had to wear a dress. Getting me to dress up is not easy (as many of you now know). I stubbornly put on the dress for pictures and commented very often that I was sweaty and that we looked dumb wearing dresses in the middle of Yosemite. It was all worth it though when I turned around and saw Marcus down on one knee. I still have no idea what he said because I instantly started crying. It was the perfect day in the most beautiful place with my favorite person.