We were introduced to each other through work. As many of you know, Maria and I have worked at California Pizza Kitchen for a good portion of our relationship, but getting to this point was the fun part. We'd crack jokes and talk a lot while we were at work and we warmed up to each other through our long list of similarities. It was only a matter of time until we wound up on a date with each other. She drove over to my house and picked me up because I was on crutches. We went from place to place on our first date, from a lovely stroll (or as lovely as one could get while you're on crutches) around the Duck Pond in front of OBC, which was Pat and Oscars at the time, to a burger shop where we had our order messed up, and then Maria introduced me to Mexican fried ice cream. which would end our trip together and she would take me back home. This trip was the first of many, but our first date exemplifies and illustrates everything that has happened from that point on till today. We make sacrifices to go out of our way for the other, we are patient and understanding in our other's actions, we take time to listen and understand who we are and what we are actively pursuing to help each other those who are close to us in our lives, and lastly, we are willing to dive into an unknown endeavor to create joy in this adventure we have set out for us.