Eric and I technically met in April of 2016 but he doesn’t actually remember. To be fair, my hair color changed. The second time we met was on Cinco De Mayo. This is the time Eric remembers quite well. We both met up with mutual friends at Mamacita restaurant where we quickly started talking about food, fishing, etc. We got lost in conversation for the rest of the evening and things blossomed from there.

We took our annual trip to Tahoe this past summer. Eric was adamant that we take Rory to my Grandpa Jim and cousin Jimmy's bench at my grandparent’s old lake house in Incline Village. I was tired and just wanted to get to the cabin in Meeks Bay. He was so persistent, that I agreed to go. We missed the turn and I said, "I think its a sign that we should go to the cabin", but Eric ignored me. We pulled up to the condo only to come across a new gate that had been put up, blocking our access to the beach. But Eric wasn't going to give up, he pulled in on the neighbor’s side. Shortly after, a maintenance man approached us and asked if he could help us. I was surprised to hear Eric selling it so hard as to why we needed to go down to the beach. Whatever he said, worked! We sat on the bench and took family photos. I asked Eric to take a picture of Rory and I and he said "Okay, but I'm doing this first". He got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him. We both cried. I think I forgot to say "yes" for awhile, being caught up in such a magical moment in a place that is so dear to my heart.