It all started on NFTA’s 8 Main in 2009. Marki and I were on our way to school, freshman year at Canisius HS and I saw her, sitting close to the window minding her business. I was captivated by her, but I couldn’t understand why. Although captivated, we didn’t speak that year. The next year, I transferred schools, which meant no more silent encounters with the girl on the bus, until senior year that is. We crossed paths again in 2013, at a Buffalo Urban League scholarship ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, we spoke to each other for the first time. Her only words to me, “hey, you clean up nice.” I was caught off guard because nobody had ever approached me that way, and I couldn't remember where I knew her from, but I knew she felt familiar. She walked away before we could exchange numbers. Intrigued by our short encounter, I searched for her in hopes of continuing the conversation, but I couldn’t find her, but she found me (and have been helping me find myself ever since). She sent me a Facebook request, and we’ve grew a bond and connection rather quickly. After the first few years in college, our relationship changed. Still friends, just in different physical spaces and pursuing different goals. Fast forward to 2022, with each of us having experienced life in very different ways, we reconnected as adults, matured and interested in exploring a romantic love in our friendship. And, admittedly, I knew for a long time that I wanted to be more than just her best friend. Then, on July 31, 2022, after my efforts of applying pressure, she gave me a chance to be her boyfriend, and during those first two years of our relationship we grew past our initial fears in dating, improved our communication, and our emotionally awareness of each others sensitivities and triggers. Those trials over those two years helped me realize I wanted her to be my wife. So, in August 2024, I asked her to marry me, and she said, “yes”! I am looking forward to forever with you, Love.