The year is 2005, and two unsuspecting kids are about to encounter each other without ever knowing what life had planned for them. As many of you may know, Sam and I first met way back in middle school. Now think back to yourself, middle school; safe to say that life experiences and plans happened during the moment with little to no forethought. And I think it is safe to say, neither of us had the faintest ideas about our future as well. Sam and I were two distinct kids, she was wicked smart and knew how to get things done, and I was, well, let's say I learned how to make things work out. Sam was very much into academics, and I would rather stay in band class all day than go to any other period. We did not realize until later in life that we did have something in common, a middle school crush. Luckily, through some cosmic virtue in my favor, we had some friend groups that overlapped, and that is how I was able to have small moments with the brown-haired girl with the pretty name and electrifying smile. Some thoughts for a 7th grader, huh? At the time, Sam was not, for lack of better wording, good at math. So we actually had two things in common, and we had that one class together. I hope she lets me keep this in here. Again, here is that cosmic amalgamation of mush that we call life, throwing everything it can at us. High school, similar to those reading, caused a quirky social barrier for us. Unfortunately, we went to different schools, thus rendering two young adolescents, when cell phones were barely becoming commonplace and social media was scarcely available while being tethered to dial-up. Phone calls had to be made after 9PM because minutes were a hot commodity. We were both MIA.

Sam had her goals set and which college she wanted to go to. I considered myself extremely lucky when I realized I could go to SF City College, thinking I would figure it out after taking some classes. Throughout life experiences and from more extraordinary minds, we found our passion. Sam is a soulful calming Social Worker with an open mind and inspiring perspectives willing to do what it takes for kids to feel like themselves again. And me, a patient Music Teacher who will do anything to take a student from thinking that they can't to them recognizing that they will. People like to think that "Things happen for a reason." I am sure that it is comforting, but I was very skeptical about this notion. But perhaps this universal whirlwind of randomness and life understanding has some unmeasurable reason(s) that logically we will never understand, but at the same time, why should we? Anyway, I take so much joy and everlasting excitement that Sam and I somehow found each other as somewhat "matured" young adults. We had the fortunate ability to learn from each other and continue to share new experiences. Sam and I spent our time together in Berekely when we first started dating if we weren't by her school. We would drive to Grizzly Peak and look out at the night sky together. One night, it just unquestionably popped into my head that I wanted to marry Sam; I am not sure why. It might be because I felt like my best self around her, and I hope she can say the same when she's with me. I just couldn't help but feel deep in my bones that whatever I go through or experience, the good and the bad, all of it, I knew, I want Sam to be there. We went back to that place 7 years later. I got down on one knee, taking in all the memories we had together and looking to the future in her eyes; I asked that brown-haired girl with the pretty name and electrifying smile, "Will you marry me?"