We met at work — a place neither of us expected would lead to something so lasting. Nick always said he didn’t date coworkers, and Kristina always said she’d change his mind. It took a little time (and maybe a little charm), but eventually, we agreed to go out together, and everything changed. One of the first things we noticed about each other was how easy it felt to be together. Kristina remembers Nick’s kind eyes — the kind that make you feel seen and safe. Nick remembers how effortlessly she made him laugh. From the beginning, we showed our love in small, meaningful ways: Nick ate the cookies from the jar so Kristina could use it for her sewing things, and Kristina tried to learn Magic: The Gathering just to share something he loved. Our little family blended naturally, too. Nick fell in love with Bleu and Willy as if they were his own — though Chonkers will always have a special place in his heart. For five months, Nick had the ring and kept telling Kristina to “trust the plan.” And she did, even without knowing what the plan was. When the moment finally came, it was simple and perfect — exactly us. We went out on a date, and when we got home, standing at the front door of Nick’s house, he got down on one knee. It was just the two of us and his dog Maxie, and in that quiet, heartfelt moment, he asked if she would marry him. And she asked if she could marry him. No grand gestures, no audience — just love, laughter, and the life we were already building together.