we're getting married

From the moment Steve first sent me a message on Dil Mil, I knew he was unlike anyone I had met before. If you’ve had the pleasure of knowing Steve, you know that when he sets his mind to something, he gives it his all. And he certainly didn’t fall short when it came to winning me over. His first message was a full paragraph—a bold move, sure—but one that immediately sparked my curiosity. By our second conversation, we were already laughing over our most embarrassing life moments. Neither of us held back; I even told him how I pepper-sprayed myself in college in that first conversation. From that first swipe, we had instantly become best friends. Feeling as if we had known each other forever, after just a few messages, we had our first FaceTime call, lasting over four hours that by that same weekend, Steve had planned the most elaborate virtual first date. Afterwards, I left with no doubt that I had just experienced the best date of my life. Those intentional virtual dates soon led to Steve flying out to meet me in person. From that point, it felt like history was being written. We faced challenges—months apart due to long distance, navigating busy work and school schedules, difficult life circumstances—but through it all, there was a sense of gratitude and peace, knowing that God was crafting something beautiful in this relationship. Even if we always couldn't see it, God was working tirelessly. He had made Steve’s heart so much bigger than anyone I had ever met. Steve has this natural ability to make me laugh endlessly and show unwavering support in any given moment. Our journey together—moving between two states, experiencing life with both our families and friends, and becoming deeply integrated into each other’s lives—has been a unique blessing these past 4 years. And we wouldn't have been able to love each other, and show up for one another in this relationship whether across state lines, or across the same room, without all of you. So, as grateful as I am for the man I'm marrying, I'm even more thankful for all of you who've made this love story and the love we have to give possible.

It was just another day during COVID, and I was scrolling through Dil Mil when I came across this beautiful girl’s profile. I swiped right without thinking much of it, and the next day—boom, we matched! I started pacing around, trying to come up with a killer pickup line to impress her. Turns out, it worked! That one pickup line turned into paragraphs of conversation, and before I knew it, we were talking non-stop for almost 24 hours. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to connect with her—I was already falling for her. So, I decided to shoot my shot and asked if she’d FaceTime with me. The next day, I nervously called her, but the moment I saw her, everything just clicked. Sarah was not only gorgeous but so easy to talk to, and she had this way of making me smile like no one else ever had. I knew right then she was special. So, naturally, I didn’t waste any time—I planned a virtual date for us the very next day. One virtual date turned into another, and then another, until we finally got the chance to meet in person. Over the years, we've explored Chicago and San Francisco together, went on numerous amazing hikes and made countless unforgettable memories in which Sarah has shown me how wonderful life can be with her by my side. From that very first interaction, I just knew—Sarah was someone I could see myself doing life with forever. After almost three long and challenging years of long distance, we’re finally closing the gap and starting this new chapter together. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead!

Steve spent months meticulously planning a breathtaking surprise proposal, ensuring every detail was perfect so all I had to do was get dressed and watch the day unfold. The love and care Steve poured into it were evident from the start. The night before, his best friend's wives—shoutout to Sincie and Sheena—took me out for a nail appointment, unknowingly preparing me for the big moment ahead. Little did I know, they were part of a larger plan months in the making. Steve had secretly coordinated with my family and best friends from Chicago & Texas to fly in for the special weekend, all while keeping everything under wraps. My friends went the extra mile, claiming they had to work that weekend and even sending photos back home in Chicago the morning of the proposal to keep the surprise intact. And to top it off, everyone had their locations turned off to sell the story—Steve left no detail to chance. The surprise unraveled when I walked into my kitchen and screamed so loud and dropped everything in my hands. There, standing in front of me in my kitchen, were my best friends, ready to get me dressed up for the big moment. It was such a joyful whirlwind—doing hair and makeup, slipping into my dress with their help, tying my heels, and receiving FaceTime calls from friends who couldn’t be there but were cheering us on from afar. Steve’s sister, Kristal (my MVP driver of the day) whisked me away to a secret location. As we approached, my nerves mixed with excitement, my mind racing about everything he had planned. The moment I stepped out of the car and saw Steve, everything else faded away. I locked eyes with him, and it felt like the world could have crumbled around us, and I wouldn’t have noticed. The flowers, the signage, the gorgeous location —all the beautiful details—blurred into the background. All I could see was him. If you ask either of us, we both blacked out during the moment. We can’t remember a single word spoken, but I will never forget how it felt when he knelt on one knee and asked me to marry him. In that instant, I wasn’t just looking at my best friend—I was looking at my soon-to-be husband and the future father of my children. There wasn’t a shred of doubt in my heart: he was the one. The surprises didn’t end there. After that magical moment, Steve whisked me away to another location, where we walked into a room filled with both our families and closest friends, all gathered to celebrate us. Every detail of the celebration—the decorations, the food, the music—had been lovingly prepared by those we hold dear. It was the perfect reflection of the journey we’ve shared—a love that has spanned states, endured challenges, and grown stronger thanks to the incredible support of our village. That day was, without question, the best day of my life. It was not only a celebration of our love but also a reminder of the countless joys and surprises our future marriage will hold.