We’re getting married!

We first met while out with friends. I fell in love with her beauty instantaneously. A conversation sparked between us and similarities between us became quickly apparent. I learned from those first interactions that she loves cats. I also love cats. She likes to read and wanted a wall of books. Ironically, I too was hopeful that one day I would have my own personal library. We sat and watched a Red Wings game together and talked, oblivious to others around us, engulfed in each other's presence. I knew from that moment in 2010 that she was going to be an everlasting significance in my life. I was quickly falling for everything she had to offer. She was the cool "rocker" chick. I was nothing in comparison. We became friends on Facebook and soon found out in 2011 that we also shared a birthday. This common bond was going to propel our friendship into levels I would never had imagined. March 2015. Three years had gone since we last spoke to each other. Our birthday had just passed and we had exchanged a couple messages. From that conversation, I convinced her to apply to Banfield Pet Hospital, where I was currently employed. That is when our friendship blossomed. We became work colleagues, I coached her on various situations at Banfield. We started talking more and more frequently. In 2018, our friendship was now in full bloom. We exchanged texts daily. She became my best and most trusted friend. However, the only thing was she was living on the east side of the state and I on the west. It would probably never be more than distant pen pals. I would tell ANYONE who would listen that I would never go back to Detroit, unless Lydia fell in love with me. I was convinced she would fall for me. I was determined that one day she would. I will let her tell you the rest.

Long story, but essentially, I started seeing him here and there, driving across the state, coordinating out which days off to take to maximize our visits. Our thing was the Renaissance Festival when he came to town. I've visited more places with him than ever before. Clearly, I couldn't live without this man. Sooo, I did the only thing plausible: I abruptly quit my job, packed my life up in brown boxes (books are unbelievably heavy), and moved 200 miles away from my life-long home and family. This did not go over well with everyone. Some people told me that I'd be back, some people really wished me the best. Uprooting my entire life was weird, but Ronnie, my family, and his family were so supportive of me every step of the way. A snowstorm thwarted our original attempt. The week later, the weather was more favorable. I couldn't stand the wait. My mom, dad, and a close friend even helped with those endless boxes of books. She knew he was for me. I've never felt more at home. Lake Michigan sunsets are pretty nice too. Right after the beginning of our domestic partnership, discussions of marriage began. He convinced me that he had been in love with me for a decade, so I said, "why not?". So, my aunt Sandra being the jeweler in the family, has kept my grandmother’s wedding diamond for me for when I found my person. She wanted me to have the beloved family heirloom. So my aunt made the ring behind my back, and then my mom and two aunts SNEAKILY drove it across the state to Ron. I’m told each of their faces staring back at him had an enormous smile. :) I had no idea that the ring had been escorted across the state.

After 5 grueling days of hiding the ring, I could not wait any longer. I knew the day had come. I had planned on taking her down to the beach to watch the sunset. After a botched attempt n my part are organizing a hidden photographer to capture the moment, I stayed convinced that THIS random Wednesday was "our day". So, I managed the day to ensure it would be perfect. We took a bike ride to Kruse Park to watch the sunset over Lake Michigan. Prior to that we had been doing things around the house, the whole time I was worried she would get too tired to go for our planned ride. She didn't. Thankfully! We got to the park and I was thinking about stopping some random people to get a picture of us. I thought, I'll do it when they take the picture. That didn't happen either, I got too nervous. So we went to the highest overlook and sat and chatted. She kept cuddling up with me, on the same side I had the ring box. I anxiously kept my hand in my pocket to cover it up and not give away any hints. The moment had come. I am about to make my move and out of nowhere a random couple walks up on us! Once they moved on, finally, leaving us to our privacy, it was now or never. I looked at her and said, "Well, I guess it's time." I started to pull the box out of my pocket as I retreated to one knee. Fumbled with the box, nerves made my voice shake, I was able to say the following, "Lydia, I love you..." more stumbles,... "Will you marry me?" Now, it is important to know that when I first started to go to one knee, she had a quizzical look on her face. She said "Shut up! This is not real". I assured her that it was. Her hands covered her mouth. After more shrieks of jubilation, I sat back down next to her and asked, "Wait...you did say yes? Right?" She reassured me in the affirmative, and my dream girl will soon become my dream wife.