It’s 2005, Chris Brown has not fallen from grace and Pretty Ricky were still extremely relevant, unfortunately. Enter a 15 year old Kayla and a 17 year old James. Both in for a very interesting semester of shapes (geometry). Luckily I’m in the class with my then best friend, so I least have that. I find my seat, second row, second to the back seat. In walks this really tan, dark haired, baseball hat wearing kid. My being latinx and presumptuous, I assumed, he was latinx. He’s got really big brown eyes and I made some passing snide joke per use, and it made him laugh so I got to see his smile. Now our teacher’s name is....ms. Hamilton. She was exactly like Ms Fowl from Jimmy Neutron and we treated her as such. So one day, mind you we hadn’t spoken yet, I turned around and asked him in Spanish, “do you remember what the homework was?” He looks at me like I’m crazy, opens his mouth and in the most cutest, southern accent goes, “umm, I’m from Savannah Georgia.” So of course, I apologize and we chat and turn out to have a few things in common, baseball, 311, hatred for our terrible teacher, and thus our friendship was born. So when the semester ended, I knew his next semester would be consumed with senior stuff and getting ready for graduation. Years passed, and we would chat occasionally on Facebook, but nothing truly serious. Until one day. And that’s how we got together. A date was set up for the next week, basketball at our local church, play to 21, if he won, he got a kiss. Needless to say, he won. And that’s how we ended up driving each other crazy and headed towards a wedding next year.

We were on vacation for mini's fall break. That day was our last day in NY and we decided to spend it exploring the American Museum of Natural History. Originally, he wanted to go to Weehawken. But that’s a story for another time. Anyways so we spent about 4 1/2 hours exploring the entire museum. And by the end, i was STARVING! And a hungry Kayla means an unpleasant Kayla and i was trying so hard not to be. But when we left, he wanted to IMMEDIATELY got to Central Park. I was honest and said if i dont get food, i may become unbearable. We compromise and grab something small to eat and drink from Starbucks and head into the park. Hes never been, so hes excited to see everything. He mentions that we should go by the Alice in Wonderland statue. Ive seen Oz Park in Chicago so this would add to my storybook parks. I give in, knowing it would be full of tourists but hey it’s my favorite book. We get to the statue and it’s of course filled with ppl so we snag a bench and take a rest. My snack did nothing for me, so I’m tired and hungry and irritated that ppl won’t let us get a picture. Ppl finally clear out and we make our way over to the statue to at least get a picture of Christopher on it. We set him up there and as soon as i put him up there and step back to take a picture, this rude dad climbs up there with his kid. By this point I’m over it. James’ asks “do you want me in the picture or no?” Me exasperated: “well this jerk won’t move, so I guess stay in it if you want but let’s go!” I raise my phone to take the picture, and he says “i guess I’ll just kneel down.” And he pulls out the box. “Will you marry me?” Me: “you’ve got to be kidding me right now.” In tears. He gets up walks up to me, and says “well, Will you?” Me: “of course.” And i put the ring on.