We met on the 10th of May in 2014 at Ramsey, the UGA gym, in the racketball courts. I was getting ready to play with my friends when Qiao and her roommate stopped by to say hello. This part burns bright in my memory: I was sitting on the third set of steps from the main staircase, parallel to the array of courts, tying my shoes, while Qiao was walking on the walkway behind me. I turned — that's when we saw each other for the first time. Little was said other than "hi" before we parted. Luckily, we'd meet again that night. Our path's crossed next at Lyons, my old apartment, when a group of our friends gathered to go out that night. The group elected to watch a movie in a classroom in the Boyd GRC. This classroom could comfortable sit 100 students, and had loudspeakers to boot; so it was like a free, private theater. I was one of the first seated. As everyone streamed inside, Qiao stood in indecision — I saw my chance, and took it. "There is a seat right here." Thus, our fate was sealed.

When I first heard about the Great American Eclipse of 2017, I knew that is when I would propose. I had toyed with the idea of proposing for the better half of a year, yet no decisive moment had come — then I heard about the eclipse. That weekend, I bought a ring of shimmering silver crowned by a brilliant diamond. It was neither the largest nor the most brilliant, but it was mine, and soon to be hers. I hid the ring away from eye and ear. And I made plans to see the eclipse as casually as I could: anticipation gnawed at my heart. A thousand doubts rang like bells through my head. Would she say yes? The fateful day came. We rendezvoused with a small group composed my sisters Julia and Rebecca, and my friend Luke. We drove out in Julia's Hyundai to Oconee State Park, which was dead center in the eclipse's path. As the moment approached, the world began to change. Shadow and light merged in the twilight. The Sun left a diamond ring in the sky as it vanished behind the Moon. At this moment, under the celestial light, I got down on one knee. I held up the ring and looked Qiao in the eye. The diamond sparkled in the otherworldly light like never before or since. "Will you marry me?" "Yes." We embraced. The eclipse would remain a minute longer. It was as if we had a world of our own. Then it passed, and we were to be married. - Chris Ghyzel