Who knew a summer internship would lead to a lifelong love story? Mario and I met during the summer of 2010 when I started working at the same law firm as him. For 2 years, we barely spoke but would catch glimpses of one another through the cubicles. When I returned back for a summer of work in 2012, things were different. It was a Friday in June when Mario stopped by my cubicle. We exchanged a few words and I ended up with his phone number but didn't plan on reaching out. The next day, I texted him. There was something that drew me in and sparked my interest. Within a few weeks, Mario had asked me to be his girlfriend - on July 16, 2012 to be exact. By September of that year, I was back at college at Penn State and in February I headed to New Zealand for a semester abroad. Almost 10,000 miles apart and in mismatched time zones and we still spoke every day. The lack of physical time spent together created a stronger bond between the mind and the heart. I returned in June and it was like we never were apart. Over the next year and a half, our bond only grew stronger as I finished college. A few months following graduation we moved to Virginia, our current home. Four years later, we're still here. We've found enjoyment in hiking, winery hopping and just spending time together with our dog Calvin. On November 10, 2018, Mario popped the question at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. As soon as we arrived at the gardens, I could sense Mario's nerves. He kept stopping, placing his hand in his pocket, and then proceeding. It was as if he were looking for a perfect spot. We walked through the entire Christmas light show. At the end of the trail was a long, beautifully lit tunnel. We walked through together and at the end of the tunnel he got down on one knee. I couldn't have been more ecstatic. We've gone through a lot of hardship as a couple, and the spot he chose was literally "the light at the end of the tunnel". And that's the beginning of our happily ever after.