After countless bad dates we finally both swiped right to our last first kiss. Our first date was in Chicago at Shakou Sushi followed by a taco crawl the next day that ended at Whiskey Business. You can say we got to learn each other’s eating habits pretty quickly. We also determined early on that we wanted to make the long distance relationship work. On our first wedding date, October 5th, we made it official because Jimmy didn't want to be introduced as "the friend". I clearly remember that night when I awkwardly introduced him to my entire family as my boyfriend, hoping they wouldn't embarrass me and secretly wishing he'd be the last one they'd ever meet. After a month and after a couple of visits to Dallas, it was clear to me that I had fallen in love. It was a different kind of love that I had never experienced. It was an undeniable and unexplainable connection that kept blooming each time we saw each other. Every bone in my body told me he was meant for me and I knew that everything we both had gone through was because it was in God's plan all along.

Imagine spending months planning for a moment only to find out that the worst possible scenario is playing out real time... That is exactly what happened the day I proposed to Liliana. I got to Whiskey Business (WB for short), which is the Chicago rooftop bar where we ended our first date, in a state of absolute PANIC…I was running late because of traffic and to make matters worse just got a text saying Lily is literally across the street and sitting next to the window facing the WB entrance. Here I am walking as fast as I can, dressed in a suit, and trying not to be seen by Lily or her friends. Fortunately, I made it to WB without being spotted and made my way to the rooftop to meet the photographer. It was a gorgeous day out and the place was PACKED! NOOO, I thought, this is going to be the most unromantic proposal ever! And then reality hits, we still have to get Lily’s family and friends to the rooftop without ruining the surprise! Luckily, everyone found their way without being spotted…WHEW! Things are looking up but then real panic sets in…how am I going to move all these strangers out of the way?? At that moment, one of the staff members says, “oh you’re the one proposing, don’t worry we’ll get this cleared out for you”. That was the best news I could hear and sure enough the WB staff cleared out a portion of the rooftop for our group. Next thing I know it is “GO” time! Somehow Lily spots me as she is being directed to the “spot” not once breaking eye contact. She is visibly shaking and in shock to see me there, I am supposed to be at home relaxing after a round of golf. We meet at the "spot" and I ask her if she remembers this rooftop, she is speechless. I then proceed to whisper in her ear “this may be the place where we ended our first date but I want it to be the place where we begin the rest of our lives together”. I get down on one knee, pull the box out of my pocket, open it and present it to my beautiful Liliana…she says “YES!!!”