We met at Treehaus for our first date. I brought my dogs along—partly because I love them, and partly as a built-in exit plan in case things didn’t go well. We played trivia and failed spectacularly (there may or may not have been an attempted bribe involved), but the conversation came easily and never slowed down. Before we knew it, five hours had passed. I even skipped volleyball for him, which says a lot. Looking back, I think I was already halfway gone—I’d fallen in love with his smile before we ever met. That night just confirmed what I already felt: this was something different.

I thought it was just a normal dinner with friends. Jimmy told me he wasn’t coming... he’d been working long hours and was too tired (and cranky), so I didn’t expect to see him at all. I went to Rachael’s house with Connor to hang out and see baby Harrison, thinking it was just another easy evening. What I didn’t know was that behind the scenes, Jimmy had been planning something I never saw coming. He bought the ring that day, FaceTimed my dad to ask for his blessing, called my mom to show her the ring, and secretly texted Rachael an hour before he arrived with his plan. She immediately sent Kyle out for champagne. Then, out of nowhere, Jimmy showed up. I was holding the baby when he started talking (and being suspiciously nice). Rachael came over and took the baby from me (saying she just “wanted to smell him,” which should have been my first clue). Even then, I was still completely in my own world. About halfway through what he was saying, it finally clicked... oh… I should probably be paying attention to this. I was completely surprised… and completely overwhelmed in the best way.