We're getting Married

HIS Version: I went to flight school and she was a psych major. I lived in Daytona Beach, her entire existence revolved around Rockledge, Florida. I was a Christian and she was a Jew. I grew up in Africa, raised to believe in 'arranged-marriages' and she's a half Italian nature-girl that chased after butterflies and fairy-tales. We existed in two different worlds, but here's what happens when two worlds collide! It all started one day after reading an article on dating and marriage. The writer had suggested I make a list of qualities of my perfect wife, so I did; complete with a picture of a cover model and all. I had prayed, waited, gone on dates, and even tried online dating. Months passed. Nada. Finally, I decided to get a dog and call it a day! A year went by and one day, while sorting through my junk e-mails, I noticed a dating website from years ago that was still active. Since I hadn't been on it in years, I had decided to deactivate it. While in the process, I was disrupted to leave for a youth meeting with my best-friend. Two days later, my about-to-be-extinct dating profile had crossed my mind. When I had logged back in to deactivate my account, I saw a message notification from 'erica07'. Curious to see what this last soul had to say, I decided to view the message. From that day (December, 7, 2016) until today have been some of the most adventurous and happiest days of my life and I'm excited for the many more I get to spend with this special girl! It all happened in the strangest of ways when I least expected it.

HER Version: The beginning of December 2016 was a time when college was my life. I was writing papers, finishing projects, and studying relentlessly for the final exams of my first semester at University of Central Florida. Needless to say, my love life was the furthest thing from my mind, but I kept hearing from my parents that I need to go out and meet someone, find a singles group, or sign up for a dating website. I was skeptical about the whole thing, but the idea of meeting someone, though seemingly unrealistic, appealed to me. So, despite my life revolving solely around getting straight A’s, I downloaded a Christian dating app without telling anyone. With low expectations, I scrolled through the profiles of countless strange men with no potential. About to call it quits, I filtered the results by location and that was the moment when I saw Job’s picture for the first time and something about him caught my attention. Now, being the sneaky and nosy person that I am, I poured through Job’s profile in a very embarrassing and stalker-like manner. The more I learned about this guy, the more intrigued I got. But, I chickened out and didn’t message him. For the next 2 days, Job kept popping back up in my mind and I finally worked up the courage to say something to him. Sending that first simple greeting on December 7th was the best decision of my life because, in that moment, I met the man of my dreams and I’ve been head over heels for him ever since.

HIS Version: I was certain from the get go that this was my 'cover girl'; the one I had been long praying and waiting for. My certainty was confirmed in several occasions. Our 'first' real date, which never happened until our third date was one of the many occasions. When the opportunity presented itself, I had decided to make her a classic steak dinner. She sat at the table like an elegant lady with her legs crossed and all. After carefully plating and presenting the dish, I brought her plate to the table and before I could go grab my plate from the kitchen counter 10 feet away, she was all over that steak. I looked at her and smiled. With a mouth full she said "Oh my God! This is so good". She was simply being herself and wasn't trying to put on a show and that very moment, I knew she was the one! The following week, I went and bought the ring. It took me several months thereafter to get to know her a little better, understand her preferences, her moods, her likes, dreams, guilty pleasures and passions. After spending a few sleepless nights brainstorming, I had decided to send her on a scavenger hunt. A whole month of secret planning, coordinating, traveling, and orchestrating with her family had completed the proposal plan. Sunday, May 7th 2017, She was tricked into babysitting for a friend on a decoy schedule that resulted in 7 missions on the scavenger hunt which ultimately led her to me, you can watch the entire scavenger hunt and engagement video here: https://youtu.be/JepdTLPI51w to see how it all happened!

HER Version: May 7th, 2017, I was completely convinced that I was going to babysit for a friend. However, when I got there, they began telling me that my college is sending me on a scavenger hunt for a scholarship. I completely fell for it and went right along with first mission of playing tic-tack-toe with my boss. Driving back to my house, I still had no idea the real reason for the scavenger hunt. Back at my house, I was told I had to eat a huge bowl full of fruit snacks in 30 seconds. I obviously failed and then had to complete an alternative mission which involved taking pictures at Publix with real flowers, mushrooms, chocolate with caramel, etc. It was at this moment when I realized that Job had a hand in this because there were certain things in this scavenger hunt that my college doesn’t know about me. The fact that I love fruit snacks and caramel, that I’m obsessed with flowers, and that I loathe mushrooms. Mission by mission, the puzzle pieces came together and by the time I had got done beating my dad at corn-hole, being quizzed about Job’s life, rescuing my mom who lost her car keys, and making a less than decent omelet that my poor aunt had to eat, I completed all seven missions and could anticipate what was to come. I was picked up by my dad and taken to my reward for completing the Mission 7 Scavenger Hunt! I found myself at my synagogue that was decorated in hearts and flowers and met by the man of my dreams who planned it all. I could hardly contain the joy I felt when he walked me down the aisle filled with pictures of our beautiful memories together. He brought me up onto the stage, knelt on one knee, and in front of all my family and friends, he asked me to marry him. Of course, I said YES!!! From the moment I met Job, I have fallen more in love with him every day. He makes me the happiest girl in the world and I can’t wait to journey through life with him by my side.