It was a dark and stormy night, in the dead of winter, when I saw her across a smoky bar… (We matched on Bumble in April 2022…) Our first date was to an art show, where I regaled her with all my witticisms. (Our first date was to a stand up comedy show (a surprising move for both of us). The art show - and our first picture together - was our second date) She said she only drank beer, and I was scared this would be the end of our brief dalliance. Hark, a break in the clouds, rum was mentioned, and off to the tiki bar we went to talk about podcasts and watch a very confusing episode of Baywatch where a man was drowning in trash. (A tiki bar was a step up from my usual Malibu-based fare! I felt bad that I was distracted by this bonkers Baywatch episode but also so excited to meet someone who also listened to Hey Riddle Riddle.) After that, it was a non stop whirlwind romance to top all romances! (We dated very casually into the summer until our first kiss in August on a hike) …But after that, things really kicked off. We traveled to the most exotic places of the world! (Hot Springs National Park, Lost Maples State Park, Joshua Tree NP, & Palo Duro Canyon State Park, just to name a few!) Soon, regardless of how far apart the end of our leases were, we had to live together. (My lease was up in August 2023. Ben thought his was up in October, right up until we were actively touring new complexes. Then it turns out his was also up in August, which worked out great. We moved in together into a place in Grapevine.) And just like that, 5 years had already flown by. Filled with adventures, cats, laughter, and board games. (Astute readers will note that this timing does not add up. But the back part is certainly true!) I knew this love was meant to be. So I planned a trip to the land of romance, France, just to pull off the grandest of surprise proposals! (Ben was supposed to go to France but then the pandemic hit. We knew that we wanted to spend our lives together, and it felt like France (specifically Marseille) would be a good place to commit to it. We designed the ring together, using a diamond from my dad’s side of the family. We also picked the day and place together to find something that felt right for both of us.) She said yes on a cliff over the Mediterranean, and all of France cheered! (He also said yes to my proposal and wears his bracelet with pride. There was one jogger who gave a thumbs up.) After the easiest, breeziest wedding planning.... (It turns out throwing a major event together is a good way to prepare for a lifetime of facing obstacles together. We've maybe learned more about each other during our engagement than we did in the years before. And ultimately came out more excited for the future because of it) We're ready to gather our friends and family together to celebrate where we've come so far and get excited about wherever life takes us next. (You've all played some role in us getting to this point, and we're so thankful! Let's get ready to eat, drink, and dance!)