All it took was a magic swipe! Eugene and I first talked by text after realizing we were a “match.” Then, our first date came. There were no expectations, but we would have some of the best conversations: passionate, interesting, and free flowing. Eugene was intriguing and genuine. He was blunt, but he always found a gentle way to tell you the truth.  As time went by, we learned more about ourselves as we learned about and from each other. We learned that we love our families, have similar values and dreams, and we're both goofy. We've inspired each other to try new things. Because of Eugene, I now find myself indulging in a movie night with takeout, and Eugene now smoothly moves to Jamaican songs (just not in public, lol). I love that he buys my favorite cupcakes out of the blue, pops in at my job to make sure I am not overwhelmed, and pulls pranks to keep me smiling. If you ask him what he loves about me, he will say my fun (sometimes crazy) presence, kind heart, and how I keep him on track with his goals. We both would say we make a great team.  On our last road trip, we spent hours in the car reminiscing on the memories we have had, how much we've grown, and the beautiful friendship we've built over the past two and a half years. We’ve had our challenges like all couples do, but we choose to spend nothing less than a lifetime together, and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

A small intimate dinner party was planned for Eugene’s 37th bday and I randomly suggested the theme “Secret Slim’s Dinner party.” Initially I thought of that theme because “Slim” was a previous nickname for him and “Secret” because he’s usually quiet and people always wondered what he was thinking. I suggested up to about 30 themes, none of which he liked, so when he agreed to this one, I figured he just gave in. At the dinner party, guests were given a safe with clues to the combination, so they could figure out the secret that I had placed in it. One guest asked me if I knew Slim’s secret, and I confidently said yes because I had been hounding him that day to put something on the paper so I could put it in the safe. After the safe combination was solved, Eugene said he wanted to give a toast to everyone that was there and wanted me beside him. I thought that was a little strange because he should be receiving the toasts not giving them as yet. Nevertheless, it didn’t matter because if that’s what he wanted on his birthday, I was fine with it. After giving an emotional speech showing appreciation for me and everyone in the room, I was surprised to see him smoothly pull out the ring and drop on one knee in his very fitted pants to ask for my hand in marriage. In awe, a plethora of emotions overwhelmed me and I accepted his proposal. It was then I realized that I really didn’t know his biggest secret of all.

Lord, we thank you for this wonderful gift of our love which you have generously granted us and which allows us to build a true communion of persons between us – provided we remain ever open to you, the source of all love. Help us to continue to love each other and accept each other unconditionally, as we get to know each other better. Make us generous in giving and humble in receiving. Enable us to communicate to one another all our joys, sufferings, and desires and all our hopes, sorrows, and difficulties. Give us the power of your love that we may forget self and live for each other so that we may have truly one spirit, in preparation for the time when You will send us children to add to our union and love. – Unknown