One night in September 2013 during my freshman year of college, my friends and I decided to leave a fraternity social. That environment never really fit me. All the guys were... well, typical freshmen fraternity boys. We left the party to meet up with other friends that lived on our dorm floor. They told us they were heading to a house party. I noticed a lot of the people with them I had never met or seen before. One guy stood out to me though. I turned to my friend and said, "Him. That's the one." There was just something about him; I had a gut feeling. 18 year-old me really had no clue on how to flirt, so my go-to move was to steal his hat to get his attention. We spent the rest of the night talking and smiling with each other. He and his friends walked us all back to our dorm. We said goodnight. From that night on, Aubrey was pretty much all I could think about. Every Friday night I would ask the people on our dorm room floor if Aubrey was coming over. He often was, but there was one night in particular that I believe really changed my life. Maybe a month after our first meeting, we were all hanging out in a friend's dorm room. Someone came and told me he was there. I walked myself over to their room. We spent the entire night talking. He kept laughing because his friend was trying to flirt with me, but it was pretty obvious Aub and I only had eyes for each other. Aub and his friends decided to leave. We said goodbye and he went on his way. I was so angry because he still hadn't asked for my number. I ran down the hallway after him with my heart pounding and said, "Wait! I know this probably sounds weird, but... I think we should hang out sometime. Can I have your number?" Other guys tried to get my attention my freshmen year, but it didn't matter. I tried to forget Aubrey, but I couldn't. I thought it was impossible to be so in love with someone the moment you meet them. I was wrong. From the moment I met him, he had my heart. Now, he has my hand.

Nina has gone from my friend, to my best friend, to the woman I couldn’t imagine a day without by my side. We met when we were 18, and for a long time we still felt like kids. It wasn’t until we started our lives as adults here in Dallas that we finally felt like we were on our own. Deciding to marry Nina was the easiest thing I’ve ever done, creating the perfect proposal was not. I called Nina’s parents on April 1st. Looking back, this was probably a mistake because her father thought it was joke. Our families have known for quite some time this was coming. The phone call wasn’t scary, I was ready. Lucky for me, they said yes. Now, I only had to get their daughter to say the same. I took my parents to show them the ring I had chosen. A solitaire circle diamond, with diamonds going all the way around the band. It was perfect for Nina, mostly because she made sure everyone knew what she wanted. I made the choice to get the very ring she had been dreaming about because the solitaire style was bold and strong, just like her. With the help of my family, her parents and our friends, the day had finally come. I chose a gazebo in Highland Park; the very one where my parents took their wedding photos. Nina’s future Maids-of-Honor made sure to get her there. She had no idea was about to happen. Five minutes after I arrived, Nina’s car pulled up and she stepped out. She was under the impression that she was going there to pick up supplies for her friend’s church. She didn’t see me at first. When she did, I don’t think she understood what was happening at all. I can only describe the look on her face as pure confusion. I think with each step she took towards me it began to click a little more as to what was happening. I sat her down and poured my heart out to her. She said yes. I get to marry this woman. The woman who I thought didn’t even notice me the first time I saw her is going to be my wife. It was the happiest day of my life.