This story starts with a card game Julius and I play called "We're Not Really Strangers." You draw a card with prompts meant to deepen your connection. On November 26, 2023, we pulled a card that read, “Plan a surprise your partner would appreciate. Make it happen by the end of the month. Both players.” With just four days to plan, we decided to extend our surprises to Saturday, December 2nd, because, well, we make our own rules! All week, I tried to get hints about Julius’s surprise, but he was tight-lipped. Even though he gave nothing away and acted 110% normal all week, I couldn't shake this silly thought: "Imagine if he proposed?" I quickly dismissed it. 5 days to buy a ring and propose? Yeah, right. Saturday came, and despite being incredibly sick, we kicked off our surprises with a funeral (surprise!). Then, we headed to Spa World. We were asked to put our belongings in a locker and were given Boy Scout-style beige uniforms we had to change into for the saunas. We went into separate locker rooms to change and found that the pool and hot tub areas were unisex and full nudity was accepted (surprise!)... and widely practiced (surprise!). "I see boobies" "This is weird." "Meet in the sauna room?" "Okay" We spent 3-5 hours hopping from one sauna to the next, cooling off and napping in between. By the end, we had a wonderful cultural experience and were talking about coming back again soon! Plus, I could actually breathe again. After changing back into our funeral clothes, we set off for Julius's surprise. "Where are we going?" "I don't know" "You don't know where your surprise is?" "No." "Okay, can I change into my yoga pants or keep my jeans?" "Mmm... keep the jeans." "Okay." *5 minutes go by, and I see him messaging someone on Snapchat.* This must be some surprise... he's got other people involved! "Where are we going?" "I DON'T KNOW" *We’re getting close to Berryville.* "Are we going home?" "No." "Are we going to dinner?" "No, it's already 9pm" "Okay so why do I have to keep my jeans on?" "Would you just be patient woman?" *We take the exit into Berryville, parking by Rose Hill Park, where only the Christmas tree is lit.* "Are we here?" "Yes." *He opens my door, takes my hand, and leads me into the park.* Is he going to... shut up... no he's not... 6 days isn't enough time... *the park is deserted* I did tell him I did not want anyone around if he did... he's not... hush *We walk up to the gazebo.* "Are we going to dance!?"... Idk, I was trying to make it make sense. "No" *He faces me, starts crying, says words neither of us can remember, and gets down on a knee...* GETS DOWN ON A KNEE!? I told you!... no this is still not happening... BUT IT IS! "Will you marry me?" *silent shock... I should probably say something* "Yes!" *lots of hugs and kisses* *Tristan pops out from behind a tree* "Tristan!? What the heck!? You knew!?" looks at Julius "Is that who you were messaging!? Does anyone know!? When did you get this ring!? WAIT, the RING! It's so pretty! What the heck!?" *I proceed to say "what the heck" for the next 5 minutes because did that really just happen?* Julius knew he’d propose as soon as he pulled the card—and no, he didn’t plant it, that was pure coincidence. He bought the ring on Wednesday, which explains his urgency. This man can't keep his surprises from me to save his life. He called my sister for her opinion, but she didn’t respond for 45 minutes. So he called our best friend Mya, who just sobbed because she's our biggest cheerleader and has been waiting for this day for over a decade. He called my mom the same day: "So, I bought a ring." She was overjoyed and they ended up having a long, heartfelt conversation about how perfect this moment was going to be, sharing stories and laughter about us. It was exactly the kind of reaction he was hoping for.