It's about damn time!

They met in high school through mutual friends. He began to make his presence and interests known to her by coming out to the softball fields where she would have games and practice. They began hanging out more and more at school, but it was so late that they both already had prom dates and they did not want to be rude and cancel on them. They somehow managed to ditch their dates at prom and make time to dance together anyway. One day he whispered something in her ear, she had no clue what he had whispered because it wasn't loud enough or clear enough to understand, which is still a trait that he holds today. He gave her a small peck and he went to class. They sat together on the bleachers at a baseball game, that's when he asked if he could kiss her. That is when she thought, "How sweet of him to ask, it’s about damn time." They kissed and that's when their love began to grow. They dated each other for a few years and eventually got to know each other’s families. They were still so young and figuring out their future. They separated for about 2 years during their college years. He focused on getting his BA degree and she focused on going through nursing school. Near the end of her program, they found their way back to one another. On St. Patrick's Day 2013, they went for a drive together, they got some dinner and talked for hours. They felt like no time had passed during their break and realized their love was still so very strong between them. He asked her to be his girlfriend again, which she happily agreed to. She finished her nursing school program and went on for her BSN, he was working numerous jobs but always exhausted. They began living like adults, they moved in together, they bought a townhouse, and she decided to go back to school (because COVID times are rough on ER nurses). They talked about her plans for school and his plans for his career. They do nothing but support each other with goals, hopes and dreams. After a lot of debate and nervousness, she applied and got accepted into a BSN to DNP program to obtain her PMHNP. This is when she knew her life would be a big hot mess for the next 2 1/2 years. He has supported her the entire way and after her first semester of this program, he decided it was time for their lives to change. On Christmas Day, 2021, he got his family in on the plan and said they were taking nice family photos at the park. She was annoyed that day because he kept leaving for work, while she cleaned the house all night the night before and all day the day of and he didn't help. She didn't have time to even take a shower before having to get ready to leave for the photos, luckily, she had taken one the night before. She had rushed to get ready and hopped in the car with Chris, Pam, Mom, and Colt since he wasn't going to make it back in time. When she found out the photos were being taken at Buckingham Park, that is when she began to get suspicious because she thought, "there are so many other nicer parks, this one is run down with graffiti everywhere." She got out of the car and saw some of the family, and her suspicions heightened because not everyone was "dressed nice" and then she caught a glimpse of a balloon behind the bathroom building. This is when she knew, and she went along with the plan. He took her to the softball field, where he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. They tried rushing because it was supposed to rain, and they were trying to beat the rain so that we wouldn't get all muddy. He tried to put the ring on and realized it was way too small because he didn't talk to the one person, she told him to talk to about things like that, her sister Meesh. In fact, Meesh is the only one in Pam's family that did not know what was happening that day. As he says, "SHE DIDN'T SAY NO!" So here we are today, with them planning their wedding to take place on their 15th Anniversary. So, here's to the last 15 years and a lifetime to go!