It's Finally Happening!!

The year was 2018, it was a hot summer night and I (Jonathan) had come home from a night at the bar like I was known to do. As I returned home with most likely a bag of assorted empanadas or a lamb/gyro combo, I sat down and hopped on a little dating site called EHarmony. A few weeks prior I decided to give online dating a shot at the advice of my smarter younger brother Jake. He also happened to be tech savvy enough to locate a discount code for 50% off!! So for me it was a win win, maybe I find the love of my life but if I don't, at least it was only half the price. So anyways, I was scrolling page after page when I came across HERS. She was a beautiful Puerto Rican woman with long dark hair with pictures of her behind the bar. A place I knew all too well. Her page talked about her love for the outdoors and her connection with nature. I knew I had to meet her. So like every slightly drunk man scouring the internet for love does, I messaged her. I told her i was a city boy with a country heart, which was highlighted by one of my profile pictures of me out in the country holding a shotgun looking all types a bearded and badass. Unbeknown to her, it was the only time I ever held a shotgun and the only thing I knew about being country was country fried steak and chuggin beers. But It was a success!! She responded and we shared the common banter two people do when they first message. Unfortunately, my half price account was nearing its expiration, so with no other options I told Veronica my account was ending and if she was interested she had to choose now.

It was a hot summer night, July 10th 2018, Veronica had agreed to meet for the first time few days after my account ended. She explained to me she lived in this far off mythical land known as Westchester. As I approached her address, I wondered to myself WTF did i get myself into and where the hell am I. The street was dimly lit, the sounds of wild animals in the bushes and DMX playing in a backyard, I was certain this was a trap! But then SHE walks out, looking just how she looked in her photos even wearing the overalls I said I loved (because I'm so country). She got in the car and we were off! Like any self respecting man should, I chose a place that will show the true colors of a persons eating habits, Candlelight Inn. As we gorged ourselves on buffalo wings, beers and nacho cheese fries and talked about everything under the sun, I began to realize that my life would never be the same. After a night at which I became so comfortable and overshared to the point where any normal woman would leave....she stayed and even found it refreshing (so she says). The night ended and a dropped her off home and drove back to Astoria to meet my boys at the bar to tell them about the date.

After 4 years of being madly in love it was time. Veronica and I have had many adventures, from traveling to the pyramids of Chichen Itza, to the beautiful town of Tupper Lake and of course the magical New Orleans. But all of these fail when compared to the greatest adventure, marriage. After 2 years of battling injury after injury I was finally healthy enough to Bend the Knee to the rightful Aire to the throne Queen Veronica of Yonkers. After finding the perfect ring, all was planned for a beautiful surprise Christmas morning. However, plans were almost thwarted by non other than my mother. So excited at the idea of finally having a daughter in law she called Veronica. She told Veronica how special this Christmas would be and how she was "in for the best Christams EVER". However, despite the accidental attempt at sabotage, I powered through. Christmas morning came and we are all dressed in our matching pajamas and when it was time for the final gift, i bent the knee. I had planned to say all these beautiful things about my love for her and how lucky and honored I was to have her in my life. Instead a few words were followed by tears of joy and passion accompanied by grunts and sniffles. But when all was said and done she said yes, we hugged and kissed and were one step closer to forever.