Every year, my friends and I go on a Christmas lights trip, and this time, we were heading to Riverside to see the dazzling plaza lights. But first — a surprise detour to one of my favorite places: Downtown Disney! 😍 We stayed so long that the daylight slipped away. To keep the surprise under wraps, everyone waited until I was done exploring before rushing us to Riverside. I thought we were just checking out Ash’s (my best friend Mar’s wife) favorite spot, and wow, it was magical — glowing with lights and beautiful scenes everywhere. While I was happily soaking it all in, everyone else was quietly scouting the perfect spot for a proposal. Meanwhile, I got super hungry, and by the time Matt and I got our food, the others were already in line to see the famous “forest of lights.” Matt was a bit bummed we missed it, but Mar reassured him it was probably for the best — the attention would have been too much, plus someone else had already proposed there! 😂 Afterwards, Ash wanted to take pictures of her little doll “Sunnys” (very important!) before we moved on. I made sure she kept track of them as we wandered. On the way out, we stopped for hot chocolate — and that’s when Ash gasped: she’d lost one of her Sunnys! She insisted on searching all the spots we’d been, and off she went. At one point, Ash left briefly on her own, but I kept her in sight. Then, she called Mar for help, and I was happy to join even though I was sure she still had the doll. But when I spotted the Grinch nearby (I’m a huge fan!), I took a quick detour to snap some fun pictures with it — with Max and Matt capturing the moment. Mar found us and was shocked Matt and I were messing around with the Grinch! When we met back up with Ash, she thought she left Sunnys in a stairway, but I told her I saw her pick it up. Still, I checked anyway — and found the cutest little Donald Duck Christmas tsum! I laughed, thinking, “That plush is mine now!” 😈 Just then, I turned around and saw Matt holding a Daisy tsum, smiling and saying, “That’s so cool — I have one too!” Then he asked, “Will you marry me?” I was stunned for a moment, then screamed “YES!” and showered him with hugs and kisses. 🥰🥰🥰 That night, wrapped in twinkling lights, surrounded by friends, and full of laughter, our forever story began.