We each tell the story of how we got together a little differently, but we both agree that we would have gotten together a lot earlier if only the other would've stopped dragging their feet. After she rejected a series of invitations to get drinks after work or go camping with friends, I didn't think Sendy liked me very much. But after working together for a few months and getting to know each other a little better, Sendy turned out to be the one to make the first move under the New Years Eve fireworks.

Looking back, it wasn't long into our relationship when I knew I was going to ask Sendy to marry me. But, I knew it had to be special. After overthinking it for months, she caught on to my plans as we were preparing to leave on vacation to Cuba - I might have tried to casually ask her ring size one too many times. On our first day in Havana we searched the artisan craft market for a ring and found a green stone wrapped in copper wire for 10 Cuban pesos. I packed the ring away, waiting for just the right moment. During our trip we toured tobacco plantations on horseback, sailed to tiny islets swarming with 5 foot long iguanas, a drank plenty of mojitos. In Topes de Collantes National Park, we hiked for miles through limestone hills to explore caves and swim under waterfalls. Just as we returned to our lodge for dinner, an evening thunderstorm lit up the rainforest around us. As the rain subsided, with firefly beetles flitting through the trees, I grabbed the ring and knelt down beside Sendy, only to find her suffering from a case of rapid onset travel sickness. Not wanting to miss the opportunity in this special place, I proposed, and she said yes! But, it was clear she wasn't able to fully enjoy the moment. A day or two later, feeling fully recovered, were in the Sierra del Rosario mountains, following the river between caves filled with bats and whipscorpions. We suited up in climbing gear and rappelled down a waterfall into a pool of water. Swimming together in the water, I asked for the ring back and proposed again, in a moment that neither of us will ever forget.