The date is March 30, 2023, I just surprised Erin by pulling out a ring and asking her to marry me under a cedar tree in the middle of the lane at my family farm and she said “Yes!” You may be interested to know that this was not the first time I surprised Erin with a proposal and in fact our whole relationship began with this kind of surprise. Let me take you back to just ten years earlier. The morning was March 27, 2013. The day started out like any other for Erin aside from maybe making sure she didn't forget her softball uniform for the game she had after school (a detail that would throw a wrinkle in my plans, you will soon find out). Little did Erin know that the night before, I was working on my proposal, or “promposal”, by polishing up 5 softballs and writing “P-R-O-M-?” on them. My plan was flawless. I would give a softball to one of Erin’s friends to distribute to her during each class period throughout the school day to perfectly spell out PROM. I would then meet her after school with the “?” and ask her to go to prom with me. However, I discovered that morning that there was a softball game and realized that she was going to be excused from school early. I had to think fast. So in the short time before and during homeroom I had to ask absolutely anybody if they had class with Erin and eventually got the softballs divvied out. Now I just had to hope they would be able to get her the softballs before we had History together fifth period. As soon as I heard the bell to end fourth period, I sprinted to my locker to pick up the “?” and the dozen roses. Then, I ran down the stairs and caught up to Erin right outside the classroom door not knowing if she received any of the softballs, if she’d say “yes”, or if she by chance already had a date to prom (Oh yeah, I may have forgotten to mention that I had a crush on Erin but was shy and never really talked to her before this moment). I asked her and she said “Yes!” The yes that started it all. From prom dates to soul mates, it did not take long after a school dance for me to know that Erin was going to be the only one I’d ever need. I found someone to laugh with, someone to laugh at me, and someone I’d never want to be apart from. I am so happy to begin a new chapter of surprises and am honored to welcome you not only to our wedding but to our love story.