It all began in the fall of 2016 at a bar in Athens, Georgia, while we were both students at the University of Georgia. Though we knew of each other through mutual friends, it wasn’t until January 2017 that our paths truly crossed. Fate stepped in when a last-minute change of plans at a music festival in Miami brought us together. Neither of us were looking for love, we just wanted to hear some sick beats, but sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. From that festival weekend on, our friendship grew into something deeper. We spent countless weekends falling in love with music and with each other. That summer, Jaci went on a study abroad trip to France, but I couldn’t let her have all the fun in Europe. I missed my best friend, so I bought a ticket and met her in Barcelona after her program ended. Our first day there, Jaci took me to the Bunker, an overlook with panoramic views of the city. We shared Iberico ham, watched the sunset, and listened to a playlist I made just for her. Our European adventure was cut short when Jaci had to fly to New York for a presentation, so we moved our travels to the States. We explored New York City together, riding bikes from Central Park down to the 9/11 Memorial, making memories that would last a lifetime. After college, Jaci’s hard work and connections from her study abroad led to a great job offer in Philadelphia. She moved there a month after graduating, while I stayed in Atlanta for my job. We did long distance for two years, navigating post-college life and testing our relationship. Through it all, we learned that together, we could handle anything life threw at us. Right before COVID, Jaci moved back to Georgia, and soon after, we finally moved in together. After seven years filled with love, growth, and adventures with my best friend, I got down on one knee on a rooftop in Miami, where it all began. That New Year’s Eve, I asked Jaci to be my best friend for life, and lucky for me, she said yes.