We have known each other since first grade, we graduated high school together in 2009 and we both went to college at The Ohio State University. We grew up only 2.5 miles away from each other and through all those years we were only friends. But little did we know that fate had other plans. Life kept bringing us together to show us the bigger plans it had for us. It is amazing that two people can live right down the road from each other for over 20 years without realizing they are ment to be together. Our first date was simply getting ice cream. Our lives continued crossing paths and slowly but surely our friendship grew into happiness, that happiness grew to love and that love is growing to devotion. I realized I loved her before she realized she loved me. She was afraid to fall, but I was there to catch her. The connection we have is real and unlike anything else either one of us have had before. Like all relationship we have had our struggles that make us strong. Relationships are hard, but with her life is worth it and rewarding. There is no one else I would rather overcome hardship in life with. We have the same values for life, family, love, and devotion. Together we complete each other, support each other and bring each other happiness. We look forward to a great future together and seeing what the next fifty years bring our way.

On September 15th 2018, our lives changed forever, and the planning for the big day began. See I had had the ring of Heather's dreams for over 9 months before I had proposed. So it had been burning a hole in my pocket waiting to be given to the love of my life. The only thing is that it had to be perfect! So the pressure was on! I felt she was on to me, so I had to keep her guessing. When we would get all dressed up to go out somewhere I could see suspicion in her eyes, thinking maybe tonight's the night. So I waited and waited for the perfect moment. In mid-August I went over to my parents house. I walked up to the the calendar, pointed to Sept 15 and circled it. I said "that's the day" no explanation was needed my parents knew what I meant. Right after I told my family I went down to her parents, to ask her father for her hand in marriage. I was nervous as all get out, I asked Roland for his daughters hand. He gladly told me " Welcome to the family, Bryant". So the day I was waiting for was finally here! I woke up, did my chores as normal, so Heather would not get suspicious. After chores I went to my parents to prepare. Luckily, Heather made plans with her mom to go shopping in Lima. So we decorated the riverside patio where we lived while she was gone . I told her parents to bring her back after sunset so it would just be getting dark. After she left, I had family members from both sides of our family helped decorate. We hung lights, made signs, lit candles, and laid rose petals. Everything was going perfect, or so i thought until I got a text from her parents. In a flash everything felt like it was falling apart............

There was only one problem Heather made plans to meet up with her friends that night, and they did not know about the proposal. I frantically called her friends to tell them my proposal plan,and to cancel their plans, without making it suspicious. It was a close call, but the day was saved. By now all her friends knew the exciting news, and Heather still had no idea. Heather showed up right at night fall, her parents walked her down the lit path of rose petals. Along the path way was our family members holding the homemade signs. It was important to me that our families were there so everyone that we cared about would be able to witness one of the happiest days of our lives thus far. At the end of the lit path I stood there with a bouquet of flowers. Heather eyes were full of tears. I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. Without giving a response Heather grabbed me and gave me a big hug and kiss. Since she did not give an actual answer yet, the crowd yelled out "Is that a yes"? And through the tears Heather responded " Yes"!