In the spring semester of their junior year, Nathan met Katie in their hybrid Health and PE class. Katie had recently injured her knee and shoulder in a car accident over spring break, making PE a challenge for her. Naturally, Nathan and his friends playfully nicknamed her “Crippled,” and while it was teasing, she couldn’t help but smile at his charm. In Health class, Nathan would often ask Katie for help with assignments, even though he was more than capable of handling them on his own. Their class turned into laughter over silly textbook passages, and they quickly became each other’s favorite part of the day. Little did they know, those lighthearted moments in class would be the beginning of a beautiful love story.

On a warm night in June, three years after their last high school class together, Katie’s phone lit up with an unexpected notification: from Nathan. Her heart did a little flip. It had been so long since they’d talked, and here he was, sliding into her DMs with a courage only late-night thoughts—and maybe a bit of liquid bravery—could spark. On the afternoon of July 4th, Nathan picked Katie up from her house, and they drove to the lake together. As they drove, the sun cast a warm glow over everything, filling the air with excitement. When they arrived, fireworks were already being set up, and the sky was a canvas waiting to be painted. Standing there, seeing him against the backdrop of the water and the sunset, felt like she was seeing him for the first time. They laughed and talked like no time had passed, and when the fireworks burst in the sky above, he took her hand. The night ended in a gentle, unplanned kiss, and from that moment, they both knew they’d never look back. Years have passed since that first Fourth of July together, and every spark that lit up that sky still lives between them.

On the morning of October 29, 2023, sunlight streamed through the curtains of Nathan and Katie's cozy apartment, casting a warm glow over the room. Katie, ever the morning enthusiast, tiptoed into the bedroom, a plate piled high with golden pancakes, crispy bacon, and a tall glass of chocolate milk in hand. She smiled brightly as she gently nudged Nathan awake. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" she chirped, her voice filled with cheer. Nathan stirred, blinking sleepily, and smiled at the sight of his favorite breakfast. He had returned late the night before from a trip to Houston, but the aroma of comfort food brought him back to life. After they finished their meal, Nathan stood up, stretching his arms and glancing at the clock. “Ready for a little adventure?” he asked with a playful glint in his eye. Nathan just chuckled, refusing to divulge his reasoning. This only served to fuel her curiosity as he dragged her out the door and into the crisp autumn air. They hopped from grocery store to grocery store, the sun shining down on the vibrant fall leaves. Katie’s pestering continued, but Nathan remained enigmatic, insisting it was all part of the plan. After an afternoon filled with laughter and the occasional playful argument, they finally found a small, rustic market that had a beautiful selection of pumpkins. Katie's eyes sparkled with delight as they picked out a few to take home. Back at their apartment, the atmosphere turned creative. Katie set to work on her pumpkin, meticulously carving out a cheerful face, while Nathan remained mysteriously secretive about his design. The air was filled with the scent of fresh pumpkin and the sound of their playful banter. After finishing her masterpiece, Katie stood up to fetch a glass of wine, feeling a sense of accomplishment. As she walked into the kitchen, she could hear Nathan quietly working, his focus intense. She poured herself a generous glass and took a sip, feeling the warmth of the wine spread through her. When she returned to the living room, she stopped dead in her tracks. There, in the middle of their little carving station, was Nathan—on one knee, a pumpkin in front of him, its surface carved with the words “Marry Me.” Nathan slipped a delicate ring onto her finger, and they both laughed, wrapped in the warmth of their love. They embraced, surrounded by the sweet scent of carved pumpkins and the golden glow of autumn. In that moment, everything felt perfect.