We have a classic love story involving the usual suspects - I friended Justin on Facebook through the "People you may know" feature. Through some subsequent awkward and innocuous facebook commenting, a misunderstanding (that he swears is not a misunderstanding) occurred and we started messaging. We met during the height of the COVID pandemic on New Year's Day with a date to my house. Since he was long distance, I had the luxury of thinking it wasn't going to be a too-serious thing, even though we communicated daily. I was fooling myself. I knew for a fact that I was a goner when I pulled up for our second date. I drove to his apartment complex in Georgia and when I parked, I noticed that he had the car warmed up with a cuddly blankie ready on my side and a serving of homemade Nutella french toast rolls waiting for my consumption on the way to the date spot - Zoo Atlanta. That day was MAGICAL. The animals all showed out for us. The panda babies were rolling around and active and so many animals came out to say hi. The last animals we saw as we were leaving was the highlight of that zoo trip - the sweet Southern Ground Hornbills (Zazu and Gumby) were both flirting with us, batting their long lashes and coming right up to the glass. Gumby in particular kept bringing us little trinkets and gifts and doing a little dance and it was the sweetest thing. Riding the high of this experience, we get into Justin's car. He reaches his hand over to mine and says, "Hey. I love you." Whoa, did the tears start flowing. Even though we'd only been on two dates, I already knew that this was a different feeling than I've ever had and I'd been feeling that in love feeling too! Flash forward to Justin finding a job in Alabama (Southern Veterinary Partners - the same company that both Kat and I work for) and moving in with me. We plan a trip to Helen GA (which is an adorable town) and had a wonderful time in a hotel next to the river. On April, 8th 2023, Justin gives me driving directions, but doesn't tell me what the actual destination is. I kept thinking we were going to the Cabbage Patch factory. Instead, we pulled up to the North Georgia zoo, where I got to pet a bunch of animals and I met my favorite piggies, the kune kunes. He had arranged a private tour of the exotic animals and then gave me the best surprise of all: An interactive play date with OTTERS. We often refer to one another as significant otters, so it was perfect! Their names were Rainbow and Noah and even though it was a rainy, gloomy day, I felt all of the sunshine in my heart explode. We played with them for a while and afterward, the trainer said, does anyone have any questions? Justin raises his finger and says, "I have one." I look over and he gets down on one knee and proposes, holding the most beautiful rough cut aquamarine engagement ring and it is almost as shiny as his eyes. Of course, I said yes. Zoo - the first I love you. Zoo - the engagement. Of course, we need a zoo wedding!

The year was 2021. I was gallivanting on Facebook when I received a peculiar friend request from someone I had not met before, Charleen Mullen. I thought she was a very lovely woman and we had friends in common, so naturally I accepted. While perusing her account to learn more about her I discovered that she was quite fond of Ratchet and Clank which I too shared a fondness for. I engaged in several conversations with her. One day she had commented on my post in a flirting manner and I knew that I had to meet her in person. So on New Years Day we met for the first time and I was awestruck. We watched Whiplash and enjoyed each other's company. On our second meeting she came to visit me for a trip to the zoo. The day was simply magical and even the animals knew we were meant to be together. When we returned to my car I could not resist any longer and told her for the first time, that I loved her. Two years of dating went by and I was finally ready to propose. I arranged a weekend trip to an exotic German town in Georgia. I took her to a beautiful wildlife park where we were able to play with adorable otters. When the tour guide asked if anyone had any more questions, I took the opportunity to ask the most important question of my life. I bent the knee and asked the love of my life Charleen to marry me. Lucky for us it was raining that day so our tears of joy were not caught on camera. I am excited for our wedding to be here so we can celebrate our love with each other and our close friends and family. But I am even more excited for the future we will share together.