We ran in different friend circles within the same organization (The Loud Crowd) in college; so we had met before. However, on this date, while both of us were in town for a big football game and LC alumni reunion, a mutual friend from our organization awkwardly made us exchange numbers. We did it to appease him, but it wasn't until about a week later that we started texting (Emily made the first move); and I don't believe we've gone a day without speaking since then. It's been a long journey getting here, from developing a friendship, which then turned into a long distance relationship, to finally living back in San Marcos (apart and then together), and even adopting three cats; not to mention all the movies, BBQ, weddings, painting, dancing, Superbowl heartaches and triumphs (Go Broncos!), and trips to Colorado, Tahoe, San Francisco, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh. And we think the best is yet to come.

It was my (Will's) birthday weekend, and I invited a handful of friends to come out and celebrate in Lockhart to grab a BBQ dinner. Unbeknownst to Emily, I had made all the attendees aware that I was planning a surprise proposal after we ate. Once we were finished with dinner at Smitty's Market, we trekked as a group over to the far side of the town square for some dessert at another BBQ staple, Black's. Along the way, I stopped everyone at a little bench outside of a gift shop. I told everyone the story about how this particular bench was the same place I told Emily that I loved her for the first time, and that now the bench would have double the meaning to us. Then, with all our friends, and a small Girl Scout Troop watching, I got down on one knee, and (*SPOILER ALERT*) she said, "Yes." A couple of funny asides to the story: the first is that Emily claims that I tipped her off earlier in the day that a proposal was coming when I opted to wear a button down shirt instead of a t-shirt to go get BBQ; she also claims that the dinner, followed by dessert plans were a dead giveaway. Video evidence suggests she's a pretty good actor though. The other funny part of the proposal is that I had arranged for some of our friends to capture the moment through pictures/video, but not one of them was the least bit subtle about displaying their phone cameras; least of which, our friend Josh, who blatantly had his flashlight on for lighting (or perhaps it was accidental). The point to the story is never try and surprise anyone unless you're David Blaine.