Our love story began in the digital world, way back when in 2010: he was an old classmate of my sister's, and I popped up as a friend recommendation on Facebook. He sent a request, I added him, and the rest is history! ...Okay, so it wasn't that cut-and-dry. It took us two long years of comments and likes before I finally gave this guy (who seemed physically incapable of smiling in pictures) a fair chance. I had my reservations about meeting in person - I'd seen enough episodes of Catfish to be wary. But once 2012 rolled around, the possibility of Something More finally gave me enough courage to meet up with this broody-looking stranger. It was a muggy and drizzly spring day in Quibbletown Park when we finally met. The instant I laid eyes on Eric, I breathed an internal sigh of relief. Okay! He definitely matched his profile pictures, and what's more - he looked pretty normal, too. Off to a good start. In the next moment a different sort of nerves rushed in as it hit me: here I was, out on my first official date with this handsome, blue-eyed sort-of-stranger. I don't remember the entire afternoon in perfect detail, but I remember the perpetual exhilaration, the way my heart couldn't stop racing and how my lips hurt from smiling so much. We held hands while sharing a bench and laughter, leisurely walked around while we chatted the afternoon away. I still remember how I (accidentally!!) pushed him into a puddle in an effort to save him from the multitude of inchworms dangling from the canopy of trees like ill-advised, squirmy confetti. When we called it a day, things ended without so much as a kiss goodbye. I walked back home in the rain, feeling somewhat disheartened. I wouldn't hear from Eric for a good week afterwards - of course, back then, it felt like forever. Thinking I'd lost his interest, I texted him a clip of me singing his favorite country song in a last-ditch effort and asked how he was (sick). And, well... From there, the rest is history.

May 22, 2017 began cold and overcast, but beautiful nonetheless. I woke up feeling energized, relaxed, and good! ...That is, until Alyssa insisted we exchange our anniversary gifts early. I tried to put her off, saying we should wait until the actual day, but once she started mocking me, saying, "You don’t have a gift!" I agreed just to prove her wrong. I headed home to "run errands", much to her amusement. Little did she know... On my way out I saw Wayne, Lyss' father outside working on his truck. I'd wanted to ask for his blessing, but I was so nervous that I chickened out, something that I regret to this day. Back at my place, ring now in hand, I managed to tell my parents. Fueled by their congratulations and approval, I drove back to Alyssa's, only to discover that Wayne was nowhere to be found. Beating myself up, I texted him asking for his blessing. I didn't have to worry: he said yes! I told Lyss to put something warm on and hop in the car for a cruise - something we do pretty often when the weather's nice. After one or two missed turns, we pulled up to Washington Rock just as a handful of the remaining people were leaving. We stood there for a while, enjoying the sunset - well, she was; I buzzed with nerves. I know she doesn't like being the center of attention so I waited for the other people to leave, but as it got darker and breezier, she started complaining that she was cold. This was it. The moment she turned away, I quickly popped down on one knee and steeled myself. She turned back around and froze, stunned. I kept it simple: "Will you marry me?" (I didn't want to make it mushy, god forbid she started crying...) As soon as the shock wore off, her cute response was to repeat "ARE YOU SERIOUS!? Oh my god!" until, finally - “Yes, of course!” I slid the ring on her finger; it fit perfectly, looking like it had always belonged there. As we drove back home, between her calling family and friends, all I could say was, "I told you I had a gift!"