We worked in the same building, but we didn't officially meet until September 2nd, 2016 at a co-worker's birthday. Everyone made it their mission to get us together and we "conveniently" ended up sitting next to each other and talking all night! Another co-worker called us out and asked if we had exchanged numbers yet (we hadn't...) and even though we were both thoroughly embarrassed, I was happy he wanted to.

After about a month of talking and helping me move from one apartment to another, I took him to dinner as a "thank you", but we all knew it was a first date... he even (very reluctantly) let me pay! After that, it was a million more sweet dates - one of which included watching Harry Potter and cooking me a steak dinner... my kind of man! An unexpected but long awaited late-night first kiss, and falling for each other more and more. Thankfully, he put up with me running away on almost every date (I was super nervous because, hi, vulnerability is scary).

After a few months of being together, every moment spent with him made my heart fall more and more. One particular date had us driving over early in the morning to Chelan, Wa for breakfast at this sweet little restaurant called Blueberry Hills. I had been feeling it for a little while but knew I was ready to tell him I loved him when we were driving around, not even talking at moments, but I felt the words bubbling up - like I needed him to know how I felt. He was so patient with me and let me get to those feelings on my own, so I didn't want to go another day without telling him. When he said he loved me too, it was the best feeling in the entire world. And from that point I knew, I was all in, forever.

Almost two years together, on a family vacation in Oahu, Hawaii I was completely surprised. Leading up to our trip I had secretly wondered if he would ask me in Hawaii, but after a few conversations about it I accepted the fact that it wasn't going to happen for a little while. And I truly accepted that, because I wanted to go on vacation and enjoy every moment, without wondering "what if". Our first morning there we went to the beach to walk around and take some pictures... little did I know his brother had a ring in his pocket for a sneaky hand off and there was a whole plan in the works. As we stood together taking pictures I was SO happy to be in that beautiful place. When I went to step away he grabbed my hand and everything around me completely stopped. I think I could hear my heart pounding as he began to speak, and I'm pretty sure I laughed and said "you are NOT doing this right now..." as he reached in his pocket. Once he was on one knee, the (ugly) crying started and I couldn't even believe it. I nodded "yes" through literal sobs and it was truly the best moment of my entire life - so far ;).