Ricky and I first started talking online on Saturday, March 18th 2023 from Facebook dating. We chatted a while and I told him I was going to church in the morning, he said he had been wanting to check out The City (church). I obviously invited him to come and told him which service I would be attending. Absolutely not thinking he would be coming (at least the same time as me!) Well, he absolutely did! 😆 I did not talk to him until after the service was over, my sister Marissa and I were there together. So, I invited her with me to go introduce myself to him in person (soooo shy and soooo awkward I felt and I’m sure made it known 🤭) As we were all 3 chatting, a lady from the church came over and said “can I grab a picture of all 3 of you”? So, as awkward as it was we all turned and said cheeeese! Oh, I have the picture 😂 My sister and I grabbed the kids and left after that lol Ricky invited me for a casual meet up at Dunkin’ for coffee later that Sunday…. That’s the real story, anytime someone asks now- “we met at church” 🤭 The rest is history! 🥰

Ricky’s parents were hosting their annual family Christmas party on December 22. It was also the night Ricky told me he was taking me out on a date to see the lights at the Cleveland zoo. I had been wanting to go see them and our availability just happened to be the evening after the family party was over. The weather started to get questionable with snow. I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea, we could find something else local to do for a date night, But Ricky made sure we were going to see the lights, after all, it was our last chance of the season to get there before they closed and with our availability. During this family party, his parents knew all along what their son was going to be doing that night, me- clueless. I knew, I truly knew from the time Ricky and I started dating he was the one, everyone told me I was crazy because we were “moving to fast” which, we were moving fast that’s for sure. After all, We bought a house after 4 months of knowing each other! Crazy, I know! But what’s also crazy, is my faith in god and how he led me through out this entire journey with Ricky. I prayed through every day and every night and every event. He continued to lead me on the path, and I whole heartedly trust and have faith in him, so I just rolled with it! We made it to the lights safely, the weather had cleared the closer we got to Cleveland. I absolutely felt like Ricky was just “off”. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but after all- he was about to propose to me!!! So, rightfully so - his nerves were probably really going strong! We made it through almost the entire path, and there stood a giant cupcake lit up right at the end. Ricky was just winging it at this point, to when he found “the right place” and someone to record it, he would stop and pop the question. He said as soon as I lit up about the cupcake, he knew it had to be done now, or never! We were walking through this giant cupcake and as I was gleaming on how beautiful and magical this stinkin cupcake was, he was able to find someone to give his phone too, and let them know what he was about to do!!! He asked if we could get a picture together, of course we could!!! Well, it wasn’t just a picture, the lady was recording as he got down (wait, no he didn’t) he said he was going to fall so he “bent down” 😂 and asked me to be his wife with the most beautiful ring ever. Of course I said yes with the fullest heart a girl could have.