We met online and had decided it was time to meet in person. We went to dinner at Theo's Restaurant in Cambridge, OH. After dinner, we walked up and down the streets of Cambridge for hours just talking. It was warmer that day, we were just enjoying each others company. Who knew this would turn into the first night of the rest of our lives.

Russell said that we were going out for dinner to celebrate my graduation for nursing school and all of the August birthdays on his side of the family. We both got dressed up and headed to his cousin Davonne's house. When we got there, Davonne let it slip that Aunt Kristie was picking up wings and pizza, from my favorite, Galaxy. I kept saying that since we were not going out, that I was going to change into my shorts and t-shirt. Davonne and Russell kept insisting that I stay in my dress because I looked too pretty and they wanted everyone to see, (insert eye-roll). I decided why not, I continued to hang out and drink wine. Finally, Everyone showed up and so did the Galaxy, mmmm. Russell came in the kitchen and said that he "wanted to get everyone together and celebrate the accomplishment of you graduating nursing school." He proceeded to hand me an envelope and said, "this is from my family and I." With hands shaking with nerves I opened the envelope, in my head I was just thinking that it was a belated graduation gift. Little did I know, it was a proposal like in the movies. Inside was a handwritten letter along with a typed one, because if you know anything about Russell, it is that he writes very small. Now, just to set some context, I was excited about being with his family, so we were drinking our favorite Concord Wine from Georgetown. As soon as I started reading, the tears began to fall....

The Letter: "Hi Rebecca, Me and my family have something for your birthday and graduation... We will get to that in a minute. It's a small gesture from all of us because we all know how hard you busted your (excuse the language) fucking ass off for this! I would have liked to have done this at my Aunt Kristie's place, but went with Davonne's. When I look around this place, I see all the good memories here. Like, I can tell you where everyone would have sat for Thanksgiving and Christmas, or where Kristie was when I was yelling for her to come to me just to ask her to make me lunch, or where my great grandma Miller would be sitting, or where we were for my high school graduation. So, you see there are a lot of great memories, even with most of the important people in my life aren't here, I can still see them. I hope that you and I can add to those memories as well. As you know, mom loved her family and she instilled that in me, as I am big on family. I lost everything in a blink of an eye. That's why I stress to spend as much time with your parents because the only way I can see my dad is at the cemetery and that's a horrible feeling. Both of our families tried to get me out of my darkest times and that was no easy task. I am so thankful for everyone. The gift we got you is something that I know you will love, and I hope one day it washes away the nightmare of you trying to save my mom. The fact that you just jumped in and went into safe mode. Me and my family are thankful for! With that being said, remember how you felt going in to try and save a fellow family member, and yet it wasn't successful, yes that night, the feeling of rush and use that on the next person. Don't let my mom not coming back scare you but use it as motivation that 'I will save this person!' You know you can do it babe! When you do save that person, just know that you will make that family proud and happy, and you will make my mom in Heaven happy! You didn't get the chance to know my parents that much, but I will tell you they are so proud of you and they loved you very much. My dad said to me that night 'I'm glad you have a girl like her. I am grateful that she gave it her best and was there to take us to the hospital.' My dad was a man of very few words sometimes, but he always knows what is best and good. That is YOU! My mom, I think you know she had a heart fill of love and maybe sometimes it was a lot but I would never trade that for anything else. We will get to your gift very soon! I love you so much and I am glad to have you, especially when I had everything taken from me. Your love can't be outmatched, and I love that. It doesn't take much to make you happy! A wise boy wrote a note and passed it to a girl and it said..." Russell had left the kitchen at some point while I was reading. Everyone was telling me to go into the living room. And I still had no idea what was happening. The note said Will you __________ _____yes _____no And there he was, on one knee, with the ring he told me was out of stock, asking me to marry him, FINALLY!