Florida Man and Florida Woman Jordan and Amanda are proud native Floridians, with birth certificates to prove it. Amanda, who grew up in Boca Raton, attended both Florida State University and Florida Atlantic University. Jordan, a Fort Lauderdale native, studied at the University of Florida and Florida Atlantic University. Two Floridians, two accountants, two CPAs, what could go wrong? How We Met Our story began five years ago in the exhilarating realm of spreadsheets and audit workpapers. We met at work, where I was her supervisor, and my calculations extended beyond financial forecasts—I was devising a strategy to win Amanda’s heart and convince her to marry me. As fate would have it, one summer Amanda found herself newly single and purchased a condominium conveniently close to my rented apartment. Sensing an opportunity, I innocently offered to help her move and unpack, framing it as a professional courtesy. Little did she know, this was my way of getting to know her better under the guise of assisting with the move, allowing us to spend time together outside of work. When I finally managed to ask her out, I was as nervous as a calculator with a low battery as I wasn’t sure if she viewed me strictly as a coworker or had her own romantic interest. The Proposal In November 2023, nearly four years into our relationship, I had planned a weekend getaway to New York City for the sights, museums, and memorial. We stayed at the Intercontinental in Times Square on the 35th floor, and the crisp Manhattan air set the stage for an unforgettable trip. Our day began with a visit to a renowned deli famous for its enormous sandwiches. As I prepared for hours of maintaining my composure, the square-shaped ring box was burning a hole in my pocket. Fortunately, Amanda was too preoccupied deciding between corned beef and pastrami to notice my nervousness. With our bellies full and spirits high, we headed to Central Park for a romantic horse-drawn carriage tour. As we reached a picturesque spot by one of the park’s iconic fountains, I signaled the driver that it was time. The moment was perfect, with people around us clapping and offering congratulations. It certainly helped that Amanda loved the ring and appreciated my heartfelt, yet visibly shaky, proposal speech. Our Life Together While Amanda dreams of exploring every corner of the globe, my ideal vacation involves a beach chair and a cold beer. Yet, despite my objections, she has managed to encourage me on hikes, adventurous escapes, and regular long flights with layovers. Her enthusiasm and pure joy when adventuring is beautiful, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Many of our best memories are on our boat out in the local Intracoastal, throwing anchor at a random sandbar and basking in the Florida sun. Our journey also took a delightful turn with the addition of our furry friends. Amanda, a devoted cat person, introduced me to her cat Meeka, which was a mystical and terrifying creature at the time. However, spending time with the cat and bonding with Meeka won me over. Eager to expand our family, we adopted Butters as a baby kitten. Raising her has been a joy and a constant source of entertainment. Over the past five years, we've woven our lives together, having lived together for the past three. We've grown close with each other's families and friends; grateful to have such a great local support network.