We shuffled through the crowd, hand in hand trying to get closer to the event's entertainment. Both of us dressed in black. After all, it was a 'Black Carpet Event'. Nick donning a 3pc suit & Kelly wearing a little black dress that accented her form nicely. Even though the sun WAS setting & the calendar read 'October' it was still plenty hot, just like most Fall evenings in South Texas. This evening was no different! Despite the summer heat our faces were covered with skeletal neck gaiters. It was just after the 'covid times' so, we fit the 'suggested attire' guidelines perfectly. Prior to the event, while still in the parking lot, we executed our pre-entry routine like we had done so many times before: -Check each other to make sure all accessories and accents to our outfits were in place for grand reveal. -Find the nearest reflective surface we could find (typically a car's window parked next to us) for final last minute adjustments. - While taking a good look at our own reflection, we take a deep breath and attempt to 'Conjure the Quirky' to psych ourselves up for what lies ahead & get 'in the zone'. -Once we've achieved the right head space, we turn to each other for a 'good luck' kiss before making our way in to the event. Back inside the event, as we walked past several other party guests, a gentleman with a camera quickly stepped out of the crowd. He held a camera. A nice, 'professional' looking camera. We didn't even have time to look his way before he snapped the picture. Just one picture. That's all it took. That picture is how we ended up on the front page of a newspaper. A first for both of us! Since then we have tried to do as many 'firsts' as possible with each other. We tell you this not to brag but to convey just how thankful we are for the situations & opportunities we have been lucky enough to encounter and experience through our time together. Thankful is the reoccurring theme that has come up throughout our entire relationship. Thankful to have found each other. Thankful because not everyone is lucky enough to find their teammate. The cheerleader who looks you square in the eye and tells you... "you CAN pull off a Speedo in a crowded waterpark on a busy Memorial Day weekend", despite never meeting a taco you didn't like! The type of person that will hold your hand AND their head up high while walking through the park’s security metal detectors while wearing matching over-the-top, colorful chicken onesies! The partner who will bring you SIX battery powered fans WITH backup power supplies just so you can ATTEMPT to keep cool & comfortable while you lay in a coffin for 30 hours straight! We each have found our ride partner for life. For that we are both extremely THANKFUL! Thankful that before our paths ever crossed, we both unknowingly signed up as 'extras' for a commercial shoot. A commercial shoot that both of us were running late to. We know...surprise, surprise. Nick & Kelly LATE?!?... NEVER! We both hurriedly got out of our vehicles to speed walk to the commercial shoot check-in table and we were both...THANKFUL we weren't the ONLY ones running behind schedule! At least there was this other person who was...'just like me'... LATE!!! That was the very first time we both thought to ourselves... "I'm so glad this other person is here with me. I'm not alone. I feel a LOT more comfortable with them by my side. They give me the confidence I need to do this!" Now, we plan on being able to say that same statement every day for the rest of our lives, as husband & wife. We are both thankful you are in our lives to share in our special day.