The wait is over!

In the epic year of 2000 A.D., a collegiate preparatory program began the twist and turns of Amber and Ray's romantic journey. Nestled in the beautiful Waco, Texas, the TRIO program Upward Bound at McClennan Community College gave opportunity to undeserved youth an equal chance to excel in secondary education. Four years of meeting twice a week, summer programs, competitions, award banquets, and traveling across the United States you would think Amber and Ray might've attempted at least phone call within this time frame...not exactly. On the final night of the program, yes everyone in 2004, Amber and Ray sat outside talked about attractions, future goals, and dreams. It wasn't until this moment that either of them consider the other as more than classmate. The two parted that summer evening and begin their journey in young adulthood 🌎 with awareness of attraction to one another. Spring of 2015, Amber hit Ray in his DM. (Ray still disagrees with this part of the story). This led to numbers exchanging and dating. Months later they went on a summer trip to the Bahamas and let’s just say things got steamy... 🔥🔥. The two have been inseparable since.

I've known Amber for a very long time, and from the outside looking in, she was the coolest, sexiest, craziest person I knew. Throughout the years I would randomly run into her unknowingly. Always great conversations followed by years of absence. Then one day, on our final day of crossing paths, I finally asked Amber out. She granted me the opportunity to finally see the loving side of her. My crazysexycool love.

On their way to Waco for Mother's Day, Amber's first plan was to stop at the cemetery and pay respects to her Mama Cheryl and Gran Gran. However, Ray was driving the car and had "other plans". As they entered into Waco, Ray bypasses the exit to the cemetary....Amber was immediately angered. Huffing and puffing in the passenger seat, Ray kept calm driving to Amber's childhood home. Amber stayed in the car with her arms folded because she was adamant about going to the cemetery with flowers in her lap. It took a good ten minutes for Amber to notice that Ray was up to something. They both got out the car to find that neither had a key to the house. As Amber begins to think of "ways" to get in the house, she turns to see Ray is sweating and shaking. Amber goes from anger to confused very quickly as Ray begins to go down on one knee on the sidewalk. Gasping for air, he asked the famous five-word question..."Amber! Will you marry me?!"

Ray has always been the guy in the room you didn't see coming. Clearly not my personality at all. From the times we've been in programs together in high school to adulthood, Ray and I always kept in touch. I remember a time where I went to a party in Huntsville at Sam Houston State University and there was Ray....mind you the last time spoke to him he was still in school in Arkansas. We talked that night like we never left Waco and pursued our childhood dreams. It's very unique what you go through and people you met along the way to teach you and prepare you for the life you are meant to live. It has been truly an amazing journey this far in my life and I am so glad I am in this seat Ray Anthony Simon, II. He's sobering to my chaos. Love you, Ray.