(Through Sophie's Eyes): The first time I met Albert was when we had our first staff meeting at our K-8 school in Atlanta. As he confidently strode inside the classroom where our meeting was, I noticed his smile, his eyes, and of course, his hair. It flowed down to his shoulders in his proud mullet. He greeted me with a warm smile and slid into the seat next to me. During the meeting, we both made some funny remarks to each other and I knew it would be fun to work with him. Little, did I know... The school year soon progressed, and we often found ourselves hanging out in each other's rooms after the school day had ended. I enjoyed talking with him, seeing him laugh and hearing him joke (even at my own expense). He easily became one of my closest friends I made after moving to Atlanta that same summer.

(Through Albert's Eyes): After we met, I know that I wanted to get to know Soph more. The thing was I needed to make sure I didn't get friendzoned and kicked to the curve. I wanted to do something that she hadn't done but is always fun, so a Braves game it was. I didn't ask her if she wanted to go or anything but took charge and hit her with "Oh we're going!" after she told me she had never been. When we were at the game it was trying very hard to not say anything I shouldn't say and trying to read her more. I would ask very intentional questions to see where her head is at. I remember that we ended talking more than actually watching the game, which if you know me that is huge since I love sports. After that date I knew that I wanted to keep getting to know her and explore where this would go.

(Through Sophie's Eyes): On November 18, 2022, Albert told me he was going to take me out to eat. He usually likes to surprise me, so I had to keep my eyes closed until we reached....a VEGAN restaurant!? Since Albert is a self-proclaimed, proud carnivore I knew this choice on his part was not only a gift for my dietary preference (vegetarian), but also a potential sacrifice to his taste buds. What a man. We dined in the tiny hole-in-the-wall, equipped with an eager waiter and a too-good-to-be-true menu. Could the food really prove itself, and Albert be satisfied? After ordering myself a meal I was prepared for, Albert ventured to try a beef patty sandwich. Needless to say, I was filled and he was not, but he still was in a good mood. For, little did I know, he was going to ask me to be his girlfriend later that evening. After agreeing together that the place we ate at was a great one and done spot, we came back to my apartment. He then passed me an envelope without a word. I opened the sealed letter, and immediately felt touched as I read his written words, expressing how much I meant to him. Add the end of the note, he had written, "Will you be my girlfriend? Circle 'yes' or 'no.'" I ran to get a pen.

(Through Albert's Eyes): So at this point I've had the ring for a while now. My original plan was to propose after I got back from the Masters in April. I just couldn't wait anymore. I knew that Soph wanted it to be a surprise and so I had to figure out how to do that. I ended up planning a trip down to Gay, GA with my college friends, which we have done a lot of time, so she didn't have any idea. Throughout the weekend I was pretty calm and didn't think too much of it. It was when I took my sabbath nap and Soph was in her room when it hit me. All my friends were asking me if I had a plan or what was I going to say, etc. That's when I started to freak out about it. I realize I didn't have anything super in set of what I was going to say and I was going to wing it. So while we are driving to the spot, I started trying to figure that out but it only made me more stress. At this point I'm sweating bullets and Tate was playing soft country sad music. I had to ask him to change it to hype me up and we started to pay some Chief Keef, I needed this. We got to the spot and my next challenge was how to get her alone to get down on one knee. I told her that I wanted to show her a spot where I twisted my ankle. I took her hand and walked her down. Now here comes the hard part, trying to get words out of my mouth that makes sense. This is when I started to black out because I don't remember exactly what I started saying. I do know I took forever to tie everything together. I finally got down on one knee and with tears in my eyes and snot down my nose I ask her "Will you marry me?" to her response "Wait, stop, what are you doing?!" My heart went to my stomach but she quickly said yes! The shock got her and mission was accomplished! Safe to say she was very surprised and I finally got to put a ring on my forever best friend.