September 9, 2021 We officially met! I (Khalifah) approached Craig at a party and asked him a very silly question: “Hey, I’m Khalifah, what’s your name?” Why was it silly? Because I already knew his name. We were on the same track team, and I had followed him on Instagram a year prior and yes, I had liked all his pictures. Two things I never do lol. October 28, 2021 We went on a date to Cortland’s famous Wild Ginger. We sat in the very first booth when you walked into the restaurant. At the end of dinner, just before we left, Craig asked me to be his girlfriend. In true silly fashion, I jokingly said no at first… but my heart couldn’t take it. About a minute later, I said of courseeeeeee. I had him stressed for a second! We also became each other’s first official boyfriend and girlfriend. November 20, 2021 Craig told me he loved me for the first time early that day. I told him I loved him too later that same day <3 December 2021 – August 2025 We continued to grow, not just as a couple, but as best friends. We did long distance, then medium distance, then short distance (lol). During this time, we traveled together with family to Jamaica, Boston, and the Poconos. These were such fun, unifying experiences, and all in all, truly beautiful years spent together. August 9, 2025 For some backstory: Craig and I love museums and they make for our favorite dates. In 2025 alone, we went to The Met four times (the 4th being for our engagement photos), along with several other museums. Two years prior, we saw a beautiful museum in Maryland on social media and always said that one day we’d take a road trip there together. That time finally came, and we planned a trip from August 8th–10th. Two weeks before the trip, Craig broke his ankle and needed surgery. After surgery, he was unable to bear weight for two months and couldn’t drive. I assumed the trip was off because I wanted him to focus on healing but Craig was very adamant about going. He helped me pick my outfits, bought me press-on nails (weeks prior I started wearing press-ons and showed him ones I liked and wanted to get in the future and so he bought them), and even planned his own outfits. He was ready! So, one week after surgery, with crutches, his scooter, and pillows to elevate his leg in the car we hit the road. The museum required a lot of walking, which made me nervous, but he insisted he’d be okay and promised to take frequent breaks. When we arrived, we took a golf cart to an indoor exhibit first. The main exhibit we wanted to see was outside, but Craig suggested we start indoors. Not long after, I noticed Craig sweating profusely (in an air-conditioned building) and checking his phone constantly. I asked if he was okay, and he said we should head to the outdoor exhibit now before it got too crowded. I hesitated at first, but he told me to trust him. We ended up going the wrong way at first, with Craig moving suspiciously fast on his scooter and sweating even more once we were outside. Eventually, we reached the outdoor exhibit. I noticed a photographer standing far away and jokingly said, “Why is that person taking pictures from all the way back there? I don’t think they can even see the sculpture.” As we got closer, Craig asked to take a picture of me in front of the sculpture. While I was posing, he said, “Wait, let me fix your hair.” As he came closer, he said, “Now is the time.” Then he reached into the basket of his scooter (lol), pulled out a ring box, pushed the scooter away, and got down on one knee, broken ankle and all. I was nervous about the ankle, but he did it! Later, he told me he’d been practicing since his surgery. I was completely caught off guard. He had convinced me the proposal wouldn’t happen until 2026, so I had zero suspicions. Before and after saying yes, I cried even though I didn’t think I would because it was such a beautiful, unforgettable moment. And now, we’re getting married! We're beyond excited and so incredibly blessed!