WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!

Once upon a time a boy sent a girl a message on OkCupid, but she didn't respond because she was trying to make something wrong work. But because it was wrong it inevitably crashed and burned, and the girl decided she would give this modern way of meeting one last try. She scrolled through old messages and came upon a man named David, who had so much in common with her and seemed like a genuinely good person, but he sent her a message two months prior; she thought "there's no way he'll respond after it's been this long" but she sent a response anyway and crossed her fingers. Lo and behold, he responded, and communication started. We decided to meet at a local food festival as we both live in Long Beach and love to eat. From our first "hello" in person, we experienced no awkward silences. When it came to deciding what to eat, I suggested pulled pork sliders and his eyes lit up at the fact that I suggested something delicious and messy: not usually considered first date food. From there the date only got better. At one point, the topic of gaming came up, and I mentioned Halo being one of my favorite games to play; it's his too, and he (jokingly) got down on one knee to propose without either of us realizing that we were heading in that very direction. We weren't ready for the night to end, so we headed to the Blind Donkey, a local whiskey pub, so that our conversation could continue as long as possible. While there, a couple across the bar bought us a couple of beers (who does that!?) because they thought we looked like such a cute couple who were completely enamored by each other; they were surprised to learn that we were on our first date. In hindsight, we should have got their information because it would have been wonderful to invite them to the wedding! They saw in us what we both were already starting to figure out: this is different; this is special; this has a future. We have been inseparable since and will be inseparable to the end of time.

We were having a fun, relaxing day filled with each other's company. We were listening to music, watching TV, and having pleasant conversation; it was a day filled with smiles and laughter. The conversation, very naturally, turned towards our future together, and we began to get giddy with excitement at the ideas of all we could do together. We were excited by the idea of spending our life together and all that we could do and accomplish as a team. In our happiness we shared a sweet kiss and a hug, and while in our embrace, David said "I want to marry you." It came out so effortlessly and without hesitation, and I responded in kind: "I want to marry you too." It was easy. I didn't need to think about it. He is the one. We looked at each other and asked "did we just get engaged?" We both had huge smiles on our faces and sealed the moment with a kiss. There was never any doubt or hesitation; there never will be. I think we both knew on that first date that this was going to last forever. We shared such an intense connection, and that connection has only gotten stronger with time. We didn't have a public proposal that garnered an audience; we didn't have a ring; we only had each other; we had tears of joy; we were so lost in our love for each other that it just happened; our hearts were calling out to each other, yearned to be one; we simply answered the call and immersed ourselves in that love. We wouldn't replace that proposal for anything in the world because it was the most heart-warming, intimate moment we have shared. The only moment that will outshine it is the day we set in motion on that emotionally charged day: the day we say "I Do."