Our first date was at a restaurant so loud we had to point our ears at each other to catch whatever was said. But the food was good and the company better, so we made it through. By the end of our second date, we were holding hands across the table. Since then, we've shared a home, picked up a pair of pups, and weathered all kinds of storms- together, always. One day, while out walking the aforementioned pups, our conversation wandered over to the topic of marriage, and we decided it was time. Perhaps not as traditional as dropping to a knee or as romantic as some elaborate surprise, but we made the decision our way: together, as always.