Justin and I worked on the same unit at a psychiatric hospital, but different shifts. I worked 2nd shift and he worked the graveyard shift. He was known as the one that would buy everyone food working 2nd and 3rd shift (this is important), look nice on Fridays when we could wear nicer clothes, and the one cracking jokes with the nurses and technicians. Justin started to ask me what I wanted from restaurants when he was getting food. Even if he didn't ask me (I was a busy gal), somehow, he would always have something extra and ultimately decided that should go to me. Little did I know, he was doing this to get me to like him. Eventually, he asked me if I wanted to "vibe at Texas Roadhouse" with him. Again, little did I know, he was actually asking me out on a date. I had to consult the "girl counsel" and they definitely made fun of me for not picking up that he was asking me out. Then I texted him to set up the "vibe at Texas Roadhouse".

Justin showed up to the door of my little, one bedroom apartment with a dozen white roses. Instant green flag! We hopped into his blue Nissan chariot to head to the country castle of Texas Roadhouse. There was a 20-minute wait, so we decided to go to a pet store, which was a great time. Did I deliberately take him to the wrong one? Yes, but honestly, I thought it was hilarious, although he did not. We got the text that our table was ready and then we feasted. While we ate dinner, Justin was obviously nervous; comparatively, I was cool as a cucumber. Due to nervousness, Justin kept waving a cinnamon butter-covered steak knife very close to my face while talking with his hands. I had to tell him to try not to kill me... looking back, maybe this should've been a sign to be scared, but I am sure glad ignored the sign. Not going to lie, it was the best date of my life...and the rest is history.

Justin planned a date day where we would go to my favorite park, The Arboretum, for a small picnic and then head to our dinner reservation at Bella Notte. When we were driving to the park, he did not realize that the entrance would be closed due to the UK football game. It took us forever to get there; however, I told him that it was okay if we went somewhere else, but he insisted that it was not (This should've been my first clue he had something up his sleeve!). After about 40 minutes of driving around and hiking to the park, we finally made it. As I was setting up our charcuterie board, he handed me a book filled with photos of all of our favorite memories to date (second clue). A photography group came by to take photos of us (third clue and thank goodness he convinced me to not wear my glasses). As I was looking through the book, they were taking photos, but Justin seemed panicked that I was looking through it so fast. As it turns out the last page was his proposal. It was a photo of our dogs, with a sign reading "Will you marry our dad?". It took me a second to realize what was going on, but my man was down on one knee. Thank goodness we have sound bites of what he said because I could not process what was actually happening. Through clouded eyes and sobs I said "YES!".