After weeks of getting to know one another via phone, John came down to St. Augustine for our first date. Like a true gent, John picked me up at my house, and we went downtown. We had this instant connection where it felt like we had been best friends since long ago (well...best friends who also had the hots for each other). We hopped around the Oldest City and had drinks, listened to bands, danced around, and were clearly and immediately safe to be ourselves. I remember getting ready for our date and having this feeling of calmness. Don't get me wrong, I was excited, but I wasn't nervous. When I opened my front door to see John in person for the first time, I had this instant feeling that can only be described as hearing a voice in my head say, "Oh. There you are. I've been looking for you." That paired with how much fun we had...I knew that this would be my last first date. And it was.

With over a year of dating under our metaphorical belts, John and I planned on moving in with one another in February 2017 when both of our leases would be up. We decided we would live in Ponte Vedra Beach as it would be a halfway mark between John's work in Mayport and my work in St. Augustine. But, a literal force of nature would have this milestone in our relationship happen a bit sooner. Hurricane Matthew devastated St. Augustine in October 2016, and my house had over three and a half feet of water flood the inside. This paired with outside structural damage caused me to pack up and find a new home in a matter of days. It only made sense to go ahead and find what would be "our" first place in Ponte Vedra. Adding to the challenge, John was away in Haiti as his ship was providing relief from damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. Because of the pressure to find a new home quickly, I signed our lease before I even stepped foot inside our place. With only half of the furniture I thought I would be moving with and my two cats in tow, this new venture began. John kept his studio in Jacksonville Beach, but moved in immediately upon his return later in October. We are nearing the end of our first year in our sweet little apartment near the beach, and it certainly has become a perfect first home together. As it says in our room, "Life takes you to unexpected places, but love brings you home."

John planned the most amazing, romantic, and life-changing weekend in Flagler Beach for the two of us. We stayed at the White Orchid Inn, a precious bed and breakfast, in a beautiful room. We spent the first day relaxing by the pool and enjoying some down time together. The next morning, John woke up before the sun and after letting me sleep a little more, he told me we were going to go to Marineland to swim with dolphins. (Side note: Though I feel that I have the best job in the world as a teacher, the first thing I ever wanted to be was a dolphin trainer...so, this dream has never left my heart.) Feeling like life was pretty perfect at that moment, we hopped in the car to find out that it was about to get even better. We went through a short informational session about the dolphins, how they learn, the do's and don'ts, and the ways in which Marineland helps wildlife. When we got in the water, we were greeted by a handsome (and huge!) dolphin, Zach, and spent almost an hour swimming and playing with him. At the end of our time in the water, the trainer (whose job I am admittedly still a bit envious of) told me that the picture of me kissing Zach didn't turn out and we would need to take another one. (I mean, like I needed a reason to kiss that dolphin more, but okay...) She then said, "I know you've always wanted to do this, so let's play a little extra with him." In the meantime, John was being passed the ring behind me. Zach swam over with a buoy in his mouth which read, "Will you marry me, Tiffany?" I turned around to see my favorite person in the world get down on one knee and ask me the same question. With our parents looking on from afar, I said "YES!" with every part of my being. I can only hope that one day I can make John feel nearly as special as he made me feel in that moment. Dream man. Dream proposal.

I feel like my ring needs its own section, but it needs a little backstory... When I was around ten years old, my dad told me that he was going to get my mom her dream wedding ring for Christmas now that he could afford to do so. Her dream ring consisted of a single, large diamond on a thick yellow gold band. I went to the jewelry store with my dad when he chose the final stone and band and signed all of the paperwork. Then, we planned the surprise together. Fast forward to Christmas morning... In our family (which then consisted of my mom, my dad, and myself), we traditionally did stockings after presents. Stockings held little things...like candy or toiletries, but nothing big, so that when it came time for stockings, your major gifts were already given. Near the top of my mom's stocking was a little wooden box with a painted manatee inside that shook when the box was open. These were little trinkets at one of her favorite home decor stores in St. Augustine. When she got to the bottom of her stocking, there was another little wooden box (in which my dad removed the little animal)...and when she opened it expecting to see another animal, instead... there was her ring. I'll never forget this as not only the most memorable Christmas of my childhood, but as one of the most romantic gestures I've ever witnessed or heard of. The love my parents had for one another is definitely instilled in me and has served as a true model for the love I searched for. When John asked my dad for permission to marry me, my dad gave him my mom's diamond that he had been holding for me for seventeen years since her passing. John placed the stone in a setting he chose. The center diamond, the most precious object I now own, is cushioned in twenty small diamonds, with two diamonds on the side, and another twenty diamonds on the delicate band of the ring.