Erik and I met in December 2023. My mom had enough of me complaining I could never meet someone and she encouraged me to try one of the dating apps. I was hesitant but decided to give it a shot. The bar was low, my requirements were above 6 foot and local. Then Erik came along, above 6 foot and local. Erik asked me to get coffee on a Friday afternoon but bailed last minute because of work. After a few drinks and some convincing from my friends at dinner, I decided to give him another chance. We met for dinner a few nights later at Rein. The conversation was non stop and we stayed for about three hours. Next thing you know, we were meeting for lunch the next day, he came over the following night to watch me make balloon Christmas trees, & the next day we went to the city to a Christmas bar I was dying to go to. We were essentially inseparable after that. I was nervous to introduce him to Michael so I waited. But it only took two months for Michael to see a change and he said 'Mommy you're so happy, I want to meet Erik.' One Saturday, a nerf gun fight and a few bowling games later, those two were the best of friends. Fast forward to June 2024, Erik moved in with us. We bought our first house together in July of 2025 and Erik told me he was going to propose before the year was up. He kept his word. And on December 20, 2025, he proposed in front of the Rockefeller Tree with Mikey in tow. It has truly been the best 2.5 years I could ever have asked for. We cannot wait to start the rest of our lives and say 'I do' surrounded by the people we love most.