Have you ever felt uneasy about a situation you were in? You know, the moment where you have to make a decision and it's looming, but you're not quite sold on whether you should do it or not? You are searching for a moment of peace or at the least a sign that you're headed towards the right decision. It was February 2016, and I was in Fort Worth, Texas on a job interview. I spent the entire day meeting people, walking into different rooms left and right. The place was chaotic until I walked into a conference room and was introduced to a woman named Sydney Williams. Little did she know that day she would become that peace I was looking for. -Jayy McClain

It's the summer of 2016, and we are on our first work road trip together (Skye in the back seat sleeping). Lil Wayne blasting through the speakers and Sydney singing and dancing along while I just watched and enjoyed her confidence (Sydney not knowing most of the words of course but still mumbling along like she knows every beat). This was the first time we got to talk and get to know each other, it was the perfect trip.

The "football dinner bet" also known as our first unofficial date. To be honest it was a set up on my part from the start. I had a crush on Syd, so for me, this was an easy way to take her to dinner without actually asking her on a date. We bet on a football game, I chose Cal and Syd chose Texas, the winner of the game had to pay for dinner. My team ended up winning the game, but I still asked her to let me pay for the dinner since in my mind it was a date. We went to the Sushi Bar in Broad Ripple, Indiana. We talked and shared stories just the two of us having a great time.

A pivotal moment in our story. If you know, you know.

From the bet to the first official date was almost a year. Throughout that time we continued to get to know each out, we hung out, and we saw each other every day at work. Then, sooner or later, she finally said yes to going on a date with me. I decided to re-make the first unofficial date but made it more of a "Sydney" style date. We both enjoyed cooking, so what better way to spend our first date then to go to a cooking class and learn to make sushi together. I remember commenting on a dress that she wore one night out and said: "on our first date I would love it if you wore that dress". Little did I know she listened to me because, on August 12, 2017, she walked out the door in the same red dress smiling from ear to ear. And it was at that moment I knew she was worth the wait.

Now that we became official we did everything together, learning more in-depth about each other. Our favorite activities were walking to brunch at Wild Eggs or Yolk, watching our favorite football teams, trying new recipes, and cuddling up for a good movie. She even took me to an actual Christmas tree farm to cut down our very first Christmas tree. We also traveled a lot together, from a BBQ festival in St. Louis, to Jamaica for our friends wedding, and to Chicago to see her favorite muscial, Hamilton. Then on to Tampa, Los Angeles, and Boise to meet each other's families. We created a bond, she became my person and I became hers.

We decided to leave the place where our story began, and made the moved to Miami. Sydney began her new job with the Miami Dolphins, and soon after I began working for the Miami Marlins.

Finally, after being introduced to her in a conference room in Texas, I had the chance to propose to my peace (Sydney) on September 22, 2019. I went to pick Syd up from the airport, and it was the longest drive of my life. With help from friends, I was able to surprise her with a room full of candles and flowers. We sat down and I pressed play to a video displaying our journey. Her best friends and family shared their love for her before I got on one knee to ask her "Sydney Williams will you marry me?"

We planned a beautiful wedding, and then a global pandemic decided to happen and completely ruin the plans. BUT- the show must go on, and LOVE is never cancelled! We hope you are all are safe and well, and we can't wait to see you next summer when we don't have to be six feet apart, and can dance the night away.