We're Getting Married!

The day finally arrived — and it began with the sweats, the nerves, and the overwhelming worry of just wanting to get it over with. Minutes felt like hours, hours felt like days, and all the while the weight of the ring sat heavy in my pocket, a constant reminder that everything was about to change. When the moment I had been planning for finally came, everything was supposed to be perfect. The plan was simple: ask the BIG question at sunset in Key West — romantic, intimate, unforgettable. Or so I thought. Little did I know, the spot we were heading to was packed. A large crowd, street vendors everywhere, music, noise, people moving in every direction. As beautiful as it all was, the timing and the place just didn’t feel right. This moment deserved more than chaos — it deserved us. So I waited. I decided dinner would be the moment. We went to one of Rachael’s favorite spots (anything Italian with pasta is always a win) and found a cozy little place on the strip. Of course, we were seated in a strange spot — pressed against a wall and surrounded by several large groups. Here we were again… not quite the right setting. So, once again, I waited. We walked around, stopped by a cigar shop, and grabbed a quick espresso martini. That’s when the idea popped into my head: “Let’s go back to where the sunset was — it’s probably slowed down now.” As we made our way back, walking up and down the area, I finally felt like the moment was right. I was just about to get down on one knee when — cue the dramatic timing — a random couple nearby broke out into a heated argument outside their hotel. (Womp. Womp. Womp.) With the weight of the world on my shoulders, I decided I would wait even longer… I guess tomorrow. We headed back to our room, grabbed some cold beverages, and stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the ocean just to hang out decompress from a long day and chat. The sky was clear, the stars were everywhere, and a bright half moon lit up the night. In that quiet moment, I thought to myself: now is it. Now is the time. I mustered every ounce of courage I had left, got down on one knee — what felt like a lifetime — and finally asked the question. That night turned the trip, and our lives, into one of the happiest moments we will ever share.