We met where lots of young 20 year old people meet. A bar. Not a nice, upscale bar, but the dingy dive kind of place right next to campus. You know the one: neon signs covering the walls, extremely low light, cheap beer, and quarter pool tables. I gathered up the courage to make the first move and asked him to play a game of 8 ball, only to be rejected! He said he had promised the next game to his friend, so I went on my way. Lo and behold, a short time later guess who was asking me for a game. We spent the night talking (him poking fun at my accent) and the rest was history.

Fast forward nearly 7 years later (yes, I am a patient one). Among the craziness known as COVID-19, we decided to treat ourselves to a Mexico vacation for our birthdays and dating anniversary. Nine days, eight nights at an all-inclusive resort on the Yucatan Peninsula. Two days after arriving, while nursing our heads, livers, and sunburnt shoulders, we signed up for the free photo shoot offered by the resort. It was unimaginably hot and sweaty, we were miserable, but somehow Colten was able to coordinate with the photographer and hide the ring from me right up until I turned around to see him on one knee in the sand. Everything was perfect: the location, the photo shoot, the ring, the man. Could not have asked for a better engagement. EVER.