Part 1: Not long ago, in the humid land of Georgia, Daniel and Kate were living in the same complex in the Atlanta suburbs and had, in fact, moved there at the same time. They were unaware of one another through the late Summer and Autumn of the terrible 2020. During this season, Daniel went through changes in his personal life and Kate made a heartbreaking decision that threw her into a deep grief in the first few months of 2021. Towards the end of March, Kate began to walk with her head up again, and Felix became obsessed with a little grey Mini Schnauzer, named Daisy. Felix began dragging Kate around the complex to find this little Daisy, even alerting her to what balcony belonged to this little dog. One day, Kate decided to say something to the dog's steely blue-eyed owner. "You know, our dogs are like Romeo and Juliet" she said smiling at him “They bark up at each other’s balconies.” He looked up from his dog, headphones in his ears, and gave a soft smile but said nothing. She walked on assuming he was shy. (She was wrong). Apparently, she had made an impression and after learning one another's names (“Normally I’m the proper Southern gentleman and shake hands and introduce myself but you know…Covid. Anyway, I’m Daniel” *waves and grins*) they started "accidentally" bumping into each other for dog walks. It seems Daisy got more walks that season than any time in her life. Yet, although the attraction was unmistakable, Kate was feeling scared about taking a step towards a new relationship. One day, she told Daniel that she thought she just wanted to be friends. Daniel said the line that clinched the deal: “Well, that sounds good as long as I still get some of that coffee you keep talking about.” Not long after, Daniel asked Kate for her number, and she declined. Instead suggesting: “Let’s pass each other notes…like slip them into each other’s doors.” Daniel, of course, said yes. Right around that time, Shannon Floyd, Kate’s oldest friend, sent her this poem: “Dear Woman, Sometimes you’ll just be too much woman. Too smart, Too beautiful, Too strong. Too much of something that makes a man feel like less of a man, Which will make you feel like you have to be less of a woman. The biggest mistake you can make Is removing jewels from your crown To make it easier for a man to carry. When this happens, I need you to understand You do not need a smaller crown— You need a man with bigger hands.” ― Michael Reid The next day, Kate and Daniel played their first game together at a picnic table in their complex with coffee and dark chocolate. Kate told Daniel she wasn’t sure what she could offer, but she really liked him. He said to her “It’s okay, I can handle it, I have big shoulders.” At that moment, Kate knew. That night, with Kate’s newly acquired number, Daniel texted her, and said he was going to pick up note cards and asked whether he could bring them over. She said yes, and so it began. Part 2: Daniel and Kate went out on a date at last, thanks to the note card slipped under her doorstep that queried “Do you like sushi? Check yes or no.” Neither were willing, however, to go far without being all in. And so, their conversation went something like this: Daniel: Well, I am still applying to jobs in Scotland, and I need about 6 months to know if that will pan out. Kate: But I don’t have 6 months. I will be leaving for therapy school. *That evening Daniel texts Kate* Daniel: Okay, 2 months. *The next day Daniel texts Kate* Daniel: I’ll know by the end of the week. And so, the saying goes that Kate won over Scotland. (Well, that’s what Kate says, anyway). Part 3: Daniel: So why are you moving to Michigan this Summer? Kate: Because I need to stay with family and save money before I move for school. Daniel: Why don’t you move in with me. And then…we’ll go from there, but maybe I can move with you. And here they are. The woman who beat Scotland and the man with big shoulders.

Part 4: Kate and Daniel had made a plan, a time frame on when they agreed Daniel would propose. It wasn't exact but it was clear. The time frame arrived and Kate, as she does, was ever on the lookout for evidence of when this event might occur. One afternoon, during their weekly planning meeting, Daniel said "This week is going to be hectic and I think we need some time to just chill together. Lets do coffee and hang out on Friday. Hmm I'll call it 'Coffee Break' in the calendar cuz that's cute!" Kate agreed and laughed thinking it was unusual for Daniel to name and even designate a time for an event that they did very often. That evening, it dawned on her. This was it. She didn't want to spoil the surprise, but kept noticing when he didn't offer any extra info or took a long time to respond about details. Finally it was decided that they would get some take out and coffee and head up to a favorite park nearby and have a picnic. They spread the blanket and ate some Greek food on the crisp, sunny October day with the earthy scent of decomposing leaves permeating the air. And then Daniel took out his Runes. He read a 3 stone spread for himself and for her. She told him she didn't really like hers and wanted to read again and went to pull just one stone for herself. He dramatically asserted that it must be 3! And so she pulled 3. Then he said "Instead of the usual book I need to look at this notebook for this reading" and pulled out one of his tiny black bound notebooks, that, if you know Daniel, he is never without. Kate's heart began pounding and Daniel looked into her green eyes and said "I have 3 questions to ask you, one for each stone. The first one is for Little Kate. Little Kate, will you play with me?" *She nods* "The next question is for Future Kate. Future Kate, will you work with me?" *She nods, crying now* "The final question is for now. Kate, will you love me?" *She nods* "So now I can ask..." he says as he pulls out the ring nestled in a wooden box "will you marry me?" "Yes!" She says. And so, here we are.