We're getting married!

I was in Mrs.Fry’s 7th-grade exploratory learning class when I first met the man of my dreams. We had been working on a project where we got to learn how to do any skill that we wanted. Ryan was learning how to throw different pitches in baseball, and I had been learning how to judge tumbling passes. One of Ryan’s friends learned how to solve a Rubik’s cube, and he and Ryan kept racing to see who could completely solve it first. Ryan always won. I found that annoying that he always won, he never even gave the other guy a chance. I had always wanted to be able to solve a Rubik’s cube. Maybe I could ask Ryan to help me. The rest of the year went on and I never really talked to him much, that was until 8th grade started. I knew that Ryan knew how to solve a Rubik’s cube, so I messaged Ryan on Instagram and asked him if he could show me how to solve one. While on the surface, this request looks like a friendly question asking for help with a fun party trick; I had different motives. I had a major crush on Ryan, and I really needed an excuse to talk to him. He responded almost a week later and sent me a link to a YouTube video to watch to learn more about solving the Rubik’s cube. With that slap of rejection in the face, I didn’t talk to or message him for weeks while I tried to figure out how to “solve a Rubik’s cube.” Eventually, I couldn’t help myself and messaged him again, asking about Rubik’s cubes some more because that YouTube video did not help me at all. This time, I tried to tie in small talk so he would stick around, but it still didn’t work. Ryan was completely oblivious that I was trying to flirt with him, but what else is expected from a junior high boy? Throughout the rest of the school year, I messaged Ryan and talked to him in class, hoping he would eventually catch the hints and ask me out. I asked about sports and all of his favorite things. But it wasn’t until Christmas that he finally caught on and asked me out, but I didn’t want to be a Christmas couple. Those hardly ever work out because of the idea that the relationship only works during Christmas time. So, after all this time getting Ryan to talk to me and learning all of his interests, I said no. I made sure to let him know why I said no because I didn’t want him to think I didn’t like him. We continued to talk and message almost every day of break. By the time we got back to school, he had summoned the courage to ask me again, and this time, I said yes because there wasn’t a weird or superstitious reason not to start dating in January. So, we began dating... On January 15, 2017, I had my first real boyfriend. The rest truly is history. If I had known that this boy from my 7th-grade exploratory learning class would end up being the man of my dreams, I would have said yes much sooner than I did. I have now been dating Ryan for five years, and I don’t know what I would do without him. He is my best friend and someone I cannot live without.

On a beautiful June evening, I was invited to dinner with Trinity and her family. After being together for over seven years, I knew I wanted to propose soon, but I needed to first ask her mother, Stacy, for her blessing. As the evening progressed, we laughed and ate great food. Trinity had to leave early with her sister Grace, which left me alone with Stacy and her husband, John—perfect for asking the big question. I nervously said, “Stacy, I have something to ask you,” she instantly knew. Before I could finish, she happily said, “Ryan, yes, you can marry my daughter! I am so happy!” After hugs and a small celebration, John asked how I planned to propose. True to form, I had no plan. We all chuckled, and then John suggested we turn Trinity’s brother Kurtis’s upcoming trip to South Carolina into the perfect opportunity. We could pretend we were going there to pick him up and make it a surprise vacation proposal. Excited by this plan, I thanked them both for their support. The next day, I called Trinity, explaining we needed to pick up her brother in late June. To my relief, she agreed right away. She even planned a little shopping trip to prepare while I secretly picked out my proposal outfit. Over the next few weeks, I coordinated with Trinity’s Aunt Amanda for ideas on where to propose and what special touches Trinity would love. Soon enough, we were making the 15-hour drive from Neosho, Missouri, to Bluffton, South Carolina. After the long journey, I was exhausted but could hardly sleep, knowing the next day would change our lives forever. The following morning, Trinity and I got up, and I was too nervous to function normally, constantly rehearsing what I’d say when I proposed. That afternoon, while Trinity spent time by the pool, Amanda and I sneaked away to check out the proposal spot—Amanda’s childhood home. The setting was perfect: a small beach with trees covering like a canopy, an old rope swing, and a view overlooking the ocean. It was beautiful and serene, just like Trinity. Later that evening, we dressed for what Trinity thought was a “nice dinner.” Amanda suggested we stop by her childhood home on the way, and I had to pretend it was my first time seeing the place. As we admired the view, I ensured the ring stayed securely in my pocket. Trinity and I wandered toward the small beach, and after some photos, I took her hands and said, “You’ve always been my world. I love you with everything I have, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. Trinity Lea Morgan, will you marry me?”