Reader, I'm Marrying Him

Mark and Kim met at the place where everyone meets their true love--the grocery store. In the spring of 2018, Kim came back for the summer season to work before her final year in college at Mis, and Mark was the new night-manager. They interacted with some friendly banter, but thought nothing of it. In December of 2018 when Kim came back to Gerrity's for Christmas before student teaching, Mark began to notice Kim. They talked about her plans to move to England, his love of futbol (not soccer), and general complaints about work. He added her on Facebook a few weeks later after Kim went back to school. After her graduation in May of 2019, and with a need to save for her next big adventure--moving to England to get her Masters of Research in Children's Lit--Kim came back to Gerrity's. This time, though, something was different. She had butterflies every time she saw and talked to Mark. Little did she know that he felt the exact same. After a few weeks of talking at work, coworkers trying to get them together, and some liquid courage on the 4th of July at Lake Sheridan, Mark messaged Kim on Facebook for the first time. Not too long after, he asked her for her number, and then they went on their first date to Carramano's in West Side (during Novena, no doubt). On August 2, 2019, Mark asked Kim to be his girlfriend and she joyously said yes! Despite her plans to move to England in a month, she wanted to make this relationship work. After a tearful goodbye, and a promise to call/text/Facetime and to see each other in December when she came home for Christmas, Kim left for England with her two best friends--Kristen and Dani. Long distance was not easy--Mark worked the night shift and Kim often would stay up late to talk to him (he would be out of work at 10:00 PM his time, and she would still be awake at 3:00 AM her time). Then, in March of 2020, Mark began making plans to see Kim in England...10 days later, the world shut down because of the pandemic. To say that it was tough is an understatement, but Mark and Kim held on to their nightly talks, the silly selfies, and counted down the days until Kim came home in September. September 2020, Kim and Mark were reunited after not seeing each other for 8 months, and they have continued their adventures together ever since. During those 4 years of dating, they attended multiple weddings of their friends and families, made new traditions, went on countless walks and Manning's runs, celebrated and mourned Philadelphia sports, grieved the losses of some of their friends and family members, hosted holiday parties, attended the Eras Tour together, visited friends and family in Philly, Pittsburgh, Boston, and New Jersey; supported each other in their new endeavors (Kim going back to school for her second Masters, and Mark taking on new roles and promotions at work), and continued to grow together. Then, during the summer of 2022, Mark was ready to "pop the question"! Kim knew it was coming--there is no surprising the English major who always reads between the lines. Mark knew he wanted to propose to Kim at one of their favorite places, Brace's Orchard in Dallas, PA. One of their first adventures/dates when she came home from England was a date to go pick sunflowers and apples, and then go to J&J's for lunch. Since that date in 2020, they made the tradition of going to Brace's twice a year for sunflower and apple picking. Once Mark got the ring, all he had to do was wait for the sunflowers at Brace's to bloom. When he saw on Facebook they did, he asked Kim if she would like to go. Kim was suspicious, but she would never pass up sunflower picking. On August 20, 2022, Mark and Kim were the only two people in the sunflower field at Brace's on the nicest day of the year. Kim cut a sunflower from the stalk, turned around, and Mark was on one knee and asked "Want to get married?" He knew the answer and now they are so excited for this next part of their lives together--this new adventure!