It all started one night in early 2022 when our community group (CG) had concluded and we were all just mingling. Luke initiated conversation by complimenting my purple Kiki’s Delivery t-shirt. I responded with a thanks and then asked if he was named after Luke Skywalker from Star Wars. Nerds unite! After several group hangouts (picnics, game nights, karaoke, arcade…) and messaging each other while Luke was in Europe, we finally went on an official first date in May 2022! Our first date was at Griffith Observatory since we both had interest in astronomy, but I soon found out that his interest surpassed mine quite a bit since he works in aerospace! Even though it was his first time being there and probably my fifth time, it was as if he was giving me a tour with how excited he was explaining each exhibit from his rocket scientist knowledge. Despite him jokingly threatening to quiz me afterwards, I felt so much joy seeing him light up. It made me want to keep bringing him joy. And I wanted for him to keep sharing his joy with me too. Since then, we’ve gotten the privilege of experiencing that joy with trips together, spending time with our families, celebrating individual and relationship milestones, adopting a dog, and lots more. We’ve also experienced having to overcome challenges, loss and tears together too. And we’ve fallen more and more in love with each other each day. On September 8th (AKA 9.8 AKA the rate of acceleration of gravity on Earth), 2024, Luke took me on another date to the observatory. But instead of quizzing me on astronomy, this time, he got on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes! We are so blessed to have come so far, to get married before God, to celebrate with all of you under the stars, and to live the rest of our lives together! -Future Mrs. Rachel Cross