We're getting married!

I met Nahom years ago at a Dillard's. Something about him seemed familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. He told me we were in the same Army unit, and the rest is history. Just kidding :) We barely talked, maybe a brief "hello" in passing, but not enough conversation to categorize us as friends. It wasn't until the Covid pandemic hit, when we were mobilized together to Connecticut, that I actually had longer conversations with him. He was going through a difficult time. I encouraged him to work out, laughed with him when we worked the same shifts, but pretty much left him alone to write poetry and work through his emotions. We returned and were quickly deployed again, this time overseas. In Kuwait, there was not much to do besides work at the hospital, exercise, and sleep. We saw each other here and there and always laughed, but I was dating someone else and didn't socialize much. Nahom says he liked me at the time, but didn't think anything would come of it. He taught me how to file my promotion paperwork, and because of this, was teased by his coworkers all the time about his crush. I never noticed said crush and just thought he was a nice human being, which he is :) During the Christmas Eve party—we were about to leave Kuwait in a month—I had just gone through a break-up and was trying to put on a brave face. One of our Colonels was conversing with me and was leaning in awfully close to my face. So close I could smell his breath. Nahom crossed the room and casually invited the Sir to grab some more food. That was the first moment I noticed him in that way. I'll never forget it. Nahom went on to be obnoxious and funny and somehow also caring in the best way. He would make fun of my eyebrows, saying that I didn't have any (I know right?! These caterpillars??), but then would check on me when I caged myself in my office. We talked on and off at the hospital, and he helped me work through some of the difficult parts, guiding me back to my faith. I had planned a trip to Colorado with my ex, and majority of the trip was non-refundable. I asked around, but all my girls were busy or having babies (which I am so happy about btw!) and it was getting harder to find someone to go with me last minute. Nahom told me to find someone else, but eventually acquiesced. We returned from the Middle East and became genuine friends. I think he fell for me when I started watching This Is Us. He's OBSESSED with that show! We went on the Colorado trip together and I taught him how to ski. We laughed incessantly. He told me that he liked me but also that he knew I needed time. I definitely did. We decided to stay as friends for the time being. But we were eating late-night McDonald's in the car, watching shows together, hanging out with friends, going to the lake, etc. Pretty much doing all the things you'd do to woo your boo. He finally asked me out on an official date on April 15th, 2022. Nahom decided to cook for me for our first date and proceeded to make orange chicken and lo mein. My thoughts exactly haha. But I look back on it now and see the sweetness of it all. He proposed to me (which is a whole other epic story you need to hear btw) on September 30th, 2023. He said a million lovely things, but the words I will never forget show how full circle we've come. He said I'm the orange chicken to his lo mein. And that may be cheesy or tacky and unacceptable coming from anyone else, but it just shows how thoughtful and hilarious this man is. My man. And thus, concludes the story of how Nahom and I became a "we". Now, the rest is history ♥