During my childhood, I spent my summers in Long Beach Island, New Jersey with Grandma and Poppy Reilly, my siblings, and many of my cousins. Over the years, I came to associate LBI with comfort, family, and love. Even nowadays when I drive onto the island I still feel that calm, happy feeling that I am home. In July of 2020, we were in desperate need of a weekend away (as many of us were during 2020) and I booked us a weekend in LBI. I felt it was time to introduce my favorite person to my favorite place! Just before dinner on Saturday evening, we went to the bay to watch the picture-perfect LBI sunset. Knowing how romantic and magical it would be for me, Maruf got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes! Being in LBI, I felt like I was celebrating this joyous moment with my entire family, especially those smiling down at us. I couldn't have written the scene any better myself.