We are getting married!

Having texted back and forth for a week or so, Lindsey granted her admirer Ming an audience on Nov 6, 2016. There were, however, two wrinkles. First, Lindsey planned on a 9-mile slog through the winding streets of Boston; and second, unbeknownst to Ming, he was not her only suitor of the day. Though anxious, she accepted his advances and agreed to allow him to tag along. When the fateful day finally arrived, Ming, a firm believer of last-minute panic, rushed to his barber only hours before the run was slated to begin. Luckily, he emerged only 30 minutes later a new man, clean-shaven and newly-trimmed. Meanwhile, our heroine arrived at the designated meeting spot with her suitor nowhere in sight. "PING!" A cryptic text from Ming: "Here! (Smiley Face). '' In the ensuing series of texts, our exasperated heroine was finally able to direct her suitor to her exact location, only to find that his vehicle of choice is loud and an extremely off-putting shade of bright blue. Ming, unable to contain his excitement, stuttered as he emerged from his car, "H-h-hi! I'm Ming! It's g-g-great to meet you! Let me change real quick!" He turned his back to her, and could not help but mouth to himself "Oh. My. God. She's so pretty!" The run was a miraculous success. So successful that Ming used what little charm he had at his disposal and convinced Lindsey to brunch. Always willing to try new things, Lindsey ate half of Ming’s Jalapeño pancake, a mistake she immediately regretted; it positively set her mouth on fire! Wanting to end the date on a high note, she endured the pain, and gave a great, big, pretty smile as the two parted ways. Ming, already completely enamored with Lindsey, could not have predicted in a million years that he would be the one to endure pain on the next date...the pain of running 12 miles...

As days blended into weeks and weeks into months, Lindsey and Ming cohabited happily. Defying all odds, Ming gradually won Lindsey's affections and became her constant companion. They shared all of the joys, laughs, mishaps, and occasional tiffs of a healthy romance. There was just one little problem. No matter how much happiness the two shared, a monster lurked in Ming's heart. This monster’s name is...Millie. Initially heavily against the idea of a furry monster in her impeccable home, Lindsey eventually relented. She allowed the monster to take up dwelling at her home. She initially made her disdain quite clear, but could not rebuff all of Millie's advances. Day by day, Millie tore down all of Lindsey's walls, one cuddle session at a time. "Yes, I've won!" Ming thought when he saw the monster sitting contently on Lindsey's lap. He tried to coax her to sit on his lap instead. She ignores him and settles in deeper. Lindsey gives him an evil smirk. The little family has become two girls against one boy.

A bead of sweat forms on Ming's hairline and makes it's way down his forehead. It merges with the 389 other beads from 30 seconds earlier. He wipes his face with his sleeves. The long, hot, sweaty bike ride was over. They've made it! They're on the beach just as he had planned. It's time. He looks around. "Uh oh," he thought, "there's jelly fish EVERYWHERE...and what's that in the distance?! IS THAT A SMOKE STACK?!" These are less than ideal conditions, but there's only a day or two left on this trip. He's on a very tight timeline! Lindsey has Ming's right hand in hers. His left hand is fumbling with what looks like a wad of used tissues in his fanny pack. She is talking about something, he nods, grunts, but his mind is focused on the task at hand. He rehearsed this! Many times! But it was supposed to be prettier! Not like this! It can't be like this! He has no choice, he knows Lindsey hates crowds, and this is likely the best spot. He takes a deep breath, stops walking, and turns to face his better half, "Hey Linds, uhhh, I think you're really cool, and I really like to hang out with you, and I'd like to keep doing that..." He nervously swallows. "Um, Okay..." All of the words he had worked so hard to memorize, gone, poof. He's improvising now, this is not going well. Panicking, he thinks "actions mean more than words, just show her." He takes out the sweaty wad of tissues and starts handing it to her. "Is that a used tissue?" "No! No it's not!" He states, defiantly. He quickly unwraps the tissue and shows her the treasure within. "Oh! That's actually quite pretty!" A mixture of delight and relief wash over Lindsey. Back in their room a while later, she realizes something, "You do know that you didn't actually ask me right?"