We met in 2016 at Authentic Wing Tsun Kung Fu in Peoria, where Raven was assigned her very first student: a new guy named Tad with long dreadlocks and an easygoing presence. At first, it was simply a teacher‑student pairing, Raven helping him learn the basics, and Tad trying not to overthink every stance correction. Training together meant we spent a lot of time partnered up, practicing drills, refining techniques, and occasionally hitting each other harder than intended (Raven more often than Tad). Our instructor even had us spar blindfolded, which somehow made us trust each other more while also giving us plenty of stories involving surprise bruises. Over time, we developed a natural rhythm, the kind of comfortable, steady teamwork that made training feel both challenging and fun. One day, Tad talked about Dungeons & Dragons, and Raven mentioned she’d always wanted to try it. He invited her to join his campaign, and for about a year we adventured together every week. Those sessions became the foundation of a genuine friendship, full of laughter, teamwork, and the kind of connection that grows quietly and steadily. Tad’s mom, Michele, noticed it early and dropped subtle hints to Raven, which only make sense looking back. She was not so subtle with Tad. One of our most memorable early experiences was a Kung Fu training trip to San Antonio. We arrived a few days early to explore a beach before diving into three days of intense training. It was the first time we traveled together, trained side by side, and spent long stretches of time in each other’s orbit. Everything felt easy and natural, the kind of ease that becomes a turning point, even if you don’t realize it at the time. Looking back, our story began long before we ever started dating. We learned how to move together, support each other, and grow side by side, first as training partners, then as friends, and eventually as something much more.

For years, Raven made it clear that she didn’t need marriage. Everyone knew it, everyone accepted it, and it became one of those “Raven truths” that no one questioned. Tad respected her completely, so much so that he never planned to propose, because he understood her stance better than anyone. But on a recent family cruise with eighteen people, something shifted. Raven had quietly been thinking that maybe it was time to make things legal, mostly for practical reasons. In her mind, it would be a simple courthouse visit someday. She hadn’t told anyone, not even Tad. Then came day three of the cruise. Between the warm ocean air, the vacation glow, and a few drinks, Raven suddenly thought, “I should make a big deal about it.” After sobering up, she still felt the same. “Tad deserves a big deal.” That afternoon, she pulled Michele aside and asked if she’d like to help pick out an engagement ring for Tad. Michele became more excited than Raven had ever seen her. The plan was to shop for a ring on Grand Turk that Thursday, but Raven wanted to get a sense of what men’s rings looked like and what they cost. She stopped by the jewelry shop on the ship, just to “look.” Five minutes later, she was buying a ring. It was perfect: an enchanting band with four sapphires and eight diamonds, fitting for their upcoming eight‑year anniversary, and meaningful because both Tad and Raven have September birthdays. The next challenge was how to propose. Raven considered asking the cruise director to help, maybe even going onstage. But she kept coming back to one thing: she wanted to see everyone’s reaction, something she couldn’t do if she was focused solely on Tad. Then it hit her. Thursday night was formal night, when the ship set up multiple photo booths. If she could get the whole family together for a “family photo,” she could capture the moment and everyone’s reactions. Perfect. She asked Michele to lead the mission of gathering all 18 for a group photo. After dinner, everyone headed to the lobby where the photo stations were set up. Raven found the perfect one with no line and quietly told the photographer the plan: take a few family shots, then say, “Everyone look at Raven,” and she would propose. They took a few family shots. Then the photographer said, “Everyone look at Raven.” Raven pulled out the ring box. Chaos. She heard, “Is this for real?” and “It’s about damn time!” and “I thought she didn’t want to get married!” Tad was completely shocked, and judging by the reactions, so was everyone else. The photographer kept snapping photos through the entire moment. Nearby bar patrons started clapping and cheering. Tad said yes. Raven, nervous and shaking, put the ring on the wrong finger and then struggled to get it off, also captured in the photos. The photos are brilliant. They bought every single one and cherish them deeply. Later that night, they went to a ship party where the cruise director brought them onstage to announce their engagement. For the rest of the cruise, everywhere they went, they heard “Congratulations!” Michele told absolutely everyone she passed. There were a few funny side stories, too. When Raven and Michele were buying the ring, Michele’s husband walked in and thought she was making a large jewelry purchase. She had to tell him the truth, and he was thrilled. And earlier that day, Raven was supposed to meet Tad in their cabin but was delayed by the ring‑buying process. She arrived 45 minutes late, and Tad was so irritated he left a note saying, “I’ll be back at the room at 3:00.” It was wildly out of character for both of them, and now, after the proposal, it’s one of their favorite memories. Raven kept the note. It was a proposal that surprised everyone, including the bride‑to‑be, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.