October 2020. The world was still navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic, but in the midst of it all, we both found ourselves looking for something new—something real. Companionship was something we had both once taken for granted—until fate nudged us to take a leap of faith into the world of online dating. Our first outing was at a nearby park, where Eli met Miss Ebony Rose (our pup) and me for the first time. Eli immediately noticed my smile and my eyes. He strolled up—all 6'3" of him—in flip-flops, wearing a warm smile framed by deep dimples. We, Ebony and I, were instantly impressed. The conversation flowed effortlessly—light, easy, and full of laughter. At one point, Eli even joked that he must’ve been brought to such a remote park so I could kidnap him. Little did we know that day, we had just met our future husband and wife. Two days later, Ebony Rose and I met Cidney (our other pup). The introduction was a little bumpy, but before long, Ebony and Cidney became inseparable sisters in every sense of the word. We became a family of four with surprising ease. Over the next three and a half years, our lives were filled with concerts, family cookouts, new adventures, and endless laughter. On December 28th, 2024, in Houston, Texas at Lombardi Cucina Italiana, Eli got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife.