Are you ready?

Nine years ago, I was 22 years old. I worked at Del Fuego on Magazine Street next to Brothers Three Lounge. I frequented dating apps for years, not thinking marriage would ever be in the cards of my life. Across the street and two businesses down was the tattoo shop, Tattooagoo, where I would meet Matthew. I was given the side quest at Del Fuego to, “cater to your neighbor” at the tattoo shop, bringing them burritos, chips and salsa. Earlier that morning, a perfectly intact deceased bird lay with a beautiful yellow stomach and green wings on the patio of the restaurant. I took a picture. I was not as extroverted as I am now, and with anxiety, brought the food to the tattoo shop. I was to take a picture of the artists; however, one person was not on time, so I would have to return when he arrived. Walking back across the street for the second time and with more anxiety than ever, the full staff and the missing artist, Matthew, had their picture taken. I was obsessed with the photo I had taken earlier that morning, and I showed the picture to the artists. Matthew was the only one who acknowledged it, and we made eye contact for the first time. Following this awkward encounter, I saw Matthew everywhere. Through the window of the café, at the bar down the street, and in my “people you may know,” on Facebook. I added him because the whimsical crush I had would not cease. Eventually, we met up at Parkview Tavern across the street from his house. As the power house, I am aka getting what I wanted, I never left his house. Nearly nine years later, we are finally getting married, a dream that I did not think would happen.