One early Saturday morning, I dragged myself out of bed over to the soccer fields for a pick-up game. Little did I know that my future husband was also there, probably still half-asleep like me. We didn't exchange much more than a sweaty high-five that day, but fate brought us together again when he invited me, a girl he barely knew to his pool party. I decided to give it a shot, and boy, am I glad I did. When I arrived, he greeted me with an Australian accent and he kept calling me "the woman of his dreams." I couldn't tell if he was being serious or if he had just swallowed too much chlorine. I realized that he was actually kind of charming, in a goofy, accent-wielding sort of way. Fast forward a couple weeks, on a very spontaneous week-long trip, I found myself hiking mountains and canyons with him and 7 of his friends that at the time were complete strangers to me. As we trekked through the wilderness, I got to watch him objectively, interact with these 7 new people. It was like I was watching him from the outside, and I could see all of his endearing qualities on full display. He was kind, funny, and he had this way of making everyone feel like they were important. I realized that not only did he keep a very athletic hiking pace, but also a great sense of humor and a love for adventure. I fell harder than I had on any soccer field. From sweaty pick-up games to scenic mountain trails, we've been on many adventures together since then. Who knew that a shared love of sports and an Aussie accent would lead to a love story for the ages?

Hailey had always been a soccer superstar, and I couldn't help but notice her amazing athletic skills every time I saw her play. I strategically tried to show up to the local pickup games whenever I thought she might be there, just hoping for the chance to talk to her. Finally, one day, I had my chance. After a particularly good play, we both exchanged congratulations, and I knew that there was something special about her. I began to see her more often at the games, and I even found myself going out of my way to talk to her. But it wasn't until the pandemic hit that I truly had the chance to get to know her. I decided to throw a small pool party for a few close friends, and I nervously invited Hailey, unsure if she would show up or not. To my delight, she did. And when she arrived with a six-pack of margarita pre-mix drinks, I knew that I had met the gorgeous Mexican tequila connoisseur lady of my dreams. We spent the night laughing, cracking jokes, and playing chicken fight with other couples – and we even ended up as the champions. But it was when the other guests left and we stayed back to dance to country songs all night long that I truly knew that I had to make her fall in love with me. I felt the sparks fly as I twirled her around the pool deck, and I knew that this was the woman I had been waiting for. I even find myself going back sometimes to watch the videos from that night & it gives me nervous butterflies. From that day on, I pursued Hailey with all my heart, and eventually, she fell in love with me too. It was a corny and cheesy story, but it was also the beginning of the most magical chapter of our lives. And every time I see her playing soccer or sipping a margarita, I can't help but smile – because it was the day that changed everything.