After 8 years together we're finally getting married!

It was the start of summer 2018 and I was starting to get lonely living in my apartment for a little over a year at this point. Surprisingly, growing up, even as a teenager, I didn't date much or have many boyfriends - just some guy friends along the way whom I've considered just friends. I felt I was finally at a point in my life where I wanted companionship and decided to explore on dating apps. When I first went on 'Coffee Meets Bagel' I recall talking with a few guys but Chris was one of the guys who I never stopped talking to for days on end and we ended up exchanging numbers. The more we talked, the more I felt like I needed to meet this guy in person. I wasn't for long distance relationships - I wanted someone local. He, on the other hand, had some previous bouts of failed love and relationships but he was trying to find that right girl himself - who was loving, caring, and 'the one'. I remember his catch phrase was 'Ladies, I love to cook' and I was definitely intrigued. He's still living up to that motto. He's gotten me to try so many foods out of my comfort zone and, while I'm still the picky one, I'm not nearly as picky as I was back then. I also remember him stating to me that if I wanted to leave now I should because he didn't drive. He didn't want to be a burden on me. I was definitely shocked but it didn't stop me from getting to know him more. Fast forward a few years and the man got his license and a vehicle and he definitely credits me for getting him through that phase in his life. We both truly feel that our mothers from heaven somehow brought us together. Both of our mothers tragically died from cancer--mine in 1998 and Chris in 2014. We definitely bonded over our shared losses - not to mention our shock when we both discovered we shared the same birthday - Jan 2nd! We went out on our first date around July 2018 and on Aug 10th, our trip to the Cleveland Zoo made it official. I really have never kissed a guy much in my life and he definitely put the pressure on me - LOL. Finally, around Christmas 2018, we shared our first kiss. Looking back on it now, I don't know what took me so long but it was magical! From moving in with me into my apartment, to moving into a condo together, to going though job changes for us both since meeting, we've had many adventures along the way. We've had a lot of ups and downs and, believe it or not, moments of being on the verge of breaking up and taking time away from each another. But we both felt we meant too much to each other to separate. When he finally popped the question during Christmas 2024, I finally became an engaged woman and wedding planning was in full swing! We both can't wait for the two of us to become one! We've definitely had many memorable moments leading up to this point in our lives but we can't wait to see what's in store for married life! A whole new chapter for us is on the horizon and we are looking forward to every single bit of it! :-)