It was the summer of 2024, and I went to spend it in Oklahoma with my church. Nothing happened between Thomas and me, but we spent some time together around family during the 4th of July and other events the church held. I can say that was the first time we had really spoken to each other because, if anyone knows Thomas, he tends to disappear a lot. The summer ended, and I went back home to Maryland. Around my birthday in November, I just felt like something was going to happen that day. I prayed about it and moved on. Then my birthday came, and I got a text from Thomas wishing me a happy birthday. That was odd because he and I were in a group chat with other friends, and we usually wished each other a happy birthday there. My antennas were up, but I didn’t make a huge deal of it. He kept talking to me, but I still thought, “Well, maybe we’ll just be friends.” Not every friendly man is looking to pursue you in that way, you know. From November 8th until I traveled back to Oklahoma for Niral and Tanisha’s wedding that December, we kept talking! We had so many things in common that I honestly thought it was too good to be true. Then came the day before the wedding, and all the signs were there that he would eventually ask me “the question.” I had conversations with his dad, Pastor Niral, so I was very expectant. On the night of January 11th, after dropping off gifts from the wedding, he finally said, “I have to talk to you.” I almost had a heart attack LOL. Then he made his intentions known and asked if I would go out with him. Of course, I said yes! It’s been history since then. We’ve been the best of friends. I tell him this all the time: the thing I love most about Thomas is that he’s a true friend. He has told me the hard truths when I didn’t want to hear them, and he has been so supportive of me. I can’t wait to spend forever with my best friend! <3