We did things a little backward, but that's okay. We met online on June 2nd, 2017, and had an instant connection. I mean, talking about the downfall of capitalism, Harry Potter, and astrology gets everyone's blood pumping, right? No? Just us? Well, that's probably why we're so amazing together. It was probably about three weeks after we met that I started looking for jobs in Texas (I lived in Michigan). About two weeks after that, I was offered a position and Erick started looking for apartments. August 7th, 2017, Erick flew up to Michigan to not only move me down to Texas, but also meet me in person for the first time, and pass the test of meeting my entire family. All in one week. How's that for a whirlwind love story, eh?

Valentine's Day, 2018, Erick had 12-long stemmed red roses delivered to my office the day before. His reasoning? "So you can enjoy them longer." The morning of Valentine's Day, I had set out cute gifts for Erick on the bathroom counter before work, so he gave me a facsimile first edition of For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway (there's a story there, ask if you'd like). And off to work we went, Erick simply saying, "You might have another surprise after work." After work, apparently I wasn't expected home so soon, actually startling Erick when I opened the door. He had been setting out wine glasses in preparation of a home-cooked meal for the two of us. (I told him I could leave if he needed me to). We sat down on the couch, Erick facing me. And he pulled a card out from behind his back. I read it. He pulled out another. Again, I read it. He pulled a THIRD CARD out. I looked at him quizzically, but still, I read it. Next, he pulled out a rather old looking book. And anyone who knows me knows I have a thing for old, rare books. But this one was weird. The Little Maid of Nantucket. Kind of looked like a children's chapter book. Erick told me to open it, so I flipped through the first pages (because that's what I do.) I thought maybe there was a cool copy right date on it the book. Erick looked at me and says, with a some edge to his voice, "You should really DIG into it." Weird. But okay. Whatever. I flip about 100 pages in, and in the center, Erick had cut a hole in the book and placed the ring! Completely unexpected and totally perfect! (yes, I cried. And yes, he asked my parents first).