We had been working at Fred Meyer in Oregon for about a year together before eventually having a full conversation. I was the stressed out barista girl who took all of her breaks out in the smoking area, he was the quiet assistant deli manager who didn’t allow anyone to be his friend. (Trust me, I tried to talk to him one time and he totally blew me off. RUDE, right?!). Eventually he became friends with a mutual coworker and friend of mine. So trust me when I say I found that window of opportunity, I leaped through it! As someone who loves to make new friends, I went with my go-to starter, “what music do you listen to?” And with that, a friendship bloomed. The weeks following, I found him to be the most authentic, upfront and transparent person I’d ever met. We found each other during a dark time for both of us. We were too mentally and physically exhausted to put on our best faces for one another, and too tired to hide our insecurities and fears. And in that, we fell in love with the raw and true parts of each other. We talked about our core morals and what we truly wanted in our lives. They matched too perfectly to pass up, and we chose each other on 7/7/2020.

Proposing to Kylie was the easiest decision I have ever made, the hard part was picking the perfect time and place for the perfect life partner. I had the ring picked out in early spring of 2022, and had held onto it for far longer than I had originally wished. The first plan was to propose while on vacation in Port Townsend during our two year anniversary, but things don't always go as planned, and I had to find another time for the stars to align. It wasn't long after that, that she and I took a leap of faith to help my family run their newly started businesses. A few months had gone by, and the life of running a business had swept both of us off our feet, and I would not have been able to handle the pressure without her. She was my rock through everything, and it was time that she got the rock that she deserved. I had been holding onto the ring for nearly a year, and it was time for it to be on its rightful owner. It was Christmas day, and I knew it was time. I didn't have a time or place in mind, but I knew it had to happen. Luckily during Christmas time, Colonial Williamsburg is decorated for the holidays, and it was an amazing backdrop for one of the greatest moments of my life. We had gotten to the area around eight in the evening, it was cold and dark, but all I could focus on was starting a new chapter with my person. We didn't get very far down the path before I was ready to get down on one knee. I was excited and scared at the same time, but I couldn't have been more ready for anything. I knew she would say yes, but I still had fear in the back of my mind. I ignored it, and just went for it. She didn't waste a moment, saying yes immediately, and making me the happiest man in the world. Suddenly I could feel how cold it was, but the warmth of her embrace kept me from shivering. Every day since has been an adventure, and I wouldn't want to endure them with anyone else.