Friends since 2011, lovers since 2012. Our friendship eventually blossomed into new heights under the fireworks of a salty summer night in Coney Island. It's impossible for me to write out every detail of what made me fall in love or why I chose to fall in love with this literal angel. Our love is chemical, inevitable, and simply real. It's my sincere hope that you catch a glimpse of me looking at her. It's all in the look. The way I consume her presence and wish to have her at my side forever should teach you a thing or two about my definition of love. We're far from perfect, but long ago made the conscious decision to love and support each other with alarming honesty. Each day is a new and exciting chapter in our lives, whereupon we have the opportunity to be better than the last. She CONSTANTLY inspires me to be better. Like when she encouraged me to stop procrastinating and work on this website so we could be one step closer to sharing our special love with those people WE love. :) (Hey look, it's still happening in 2022) The other day, we were talking and realized we couldn't remember how long it's been since we didn't use baby talk toward each other. Well, not baby talk per se, but our own secret language that we've developed uniquely for each other. It's hard to remember my past without Steph—I often dream about my childhood, and even in dreams she is always there. Present as my love. How special to know that I no longer need to dream. I get to wake up next to this babe until the day I no longer need to wake up. This is it, I no longer have to think about what was, what could be or what will be. I've found a partner to trail-blaze through life together with; one who will laugh and cry with me through the highs and lows and serve as a daily reminder that because she exists, there is infinite good and love on this little rock we all call home. Two years later, I cannot wait to finally celebrate our love with the people I love. It's been a crazy past few years but I am beyond ready to share in this moment with all of you!

He was *very* adamant we go away for the weekend. And normally when he's that insistent, it means he's planning something. I'm not a fan of unsubtle surprises. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE a great surprise. But if you're dropping hints and leaving clues about what you're up to, then my impatient self will squeeze you until you tell me what's going on. I already had a feeling he was going to propose. I even told a close friend (Hi Rebecca!) what I thought Jorge was up to. We were nearing a big trip to California and I didn't want to take any time off before then. But he insisted...and insisted...and yes, you guessed it, insisted. He suggested traveling to Mystic, CT. The hook - some time away from the city to relax. The line - Mystic has an aquarium. The sinker - I get to see beluga whales. I relented. And I'm glad I did. An hour after we arrived in Mystic, Jorge told me to get ready for dinner. "Why?" I asked. "Our reservation is three hours away from now." "So we can take a walk," he replied. K. After getting dressed, I walked into the room to the first surprise of the night. Jorge had set up in front of the fireplace, and motioned me to sit down. He declared he had a late (read: very late) Christmas present for me. It was a book - our love story written by him, and cartoon-ized. As I flipped through the pages, it became increasingly clear what was waiting for me at the end. On the last page, in big and bold letters, were the words "TURN TO ME, I HAVE SOMETHING TO ASK YOU." And that's when it happened, guys. I pretty much blacked out after that. All I remember was that I started crying, hugging him and not even bothering to put on the ring until later. It's the perfect example of why I love Jorge. He knows what he wants and is relentless in his pursuit. He's an amazing planner (I never lift a finger when we travel. Sorry, babe) And above all else, he loves me and will do anything to make me...to make us...happy. And yup, I got to see the beluga whales.