We met through mutual friends at a gathering Victor hosted shortly after I moved to Mobile. He was one of the first close friends I made in my new city. Some of my coworkers were good friends with him, and they invited me over to a small game night he was hosting. We became instant friends and stayed close for years before we ever started dating. Then one day we started to look at each other a little differently. The stars and planets aligned for us, and the rest was history!

He proposed just before my birthday last year in downtown Mobile at the Hilton Garden. I told him a few months before that I wanted him and I to go away for a weekend for my birthday, and originally we were planning to go to Grayton Beach. We had gone there about a month or so before my birthday that year and loved it so I wanted to go there again. About a week before we were supposed to go I changed my mind. It was just too hot and I didn’t want to be outside and sweat. Oh this southern summer heat.. Not my favorite! Well apparently he was planning to propose there the whole time, but I unknowingly botched those plans. I decided I just wanted to stay in Mobile and do a little stay-cation so we got a room at the Hilton Garden. We got all dressed up and did dinner and drinks on the town. After a dinner we went back up to the room to change before heading back out, and while we were up there he put on a song that's super special to us and asked me to dance. We just laughed and danced together for a few minutes, and all the sudden he dropped down to one knee. I think at that point I blacked out and all I could manage to say was “what are you doing” and cried a lot. I'm not even sure I ever actually said yes!

I bought a ring. A very, very expensive ring. There's a hole in my pocket where my wallet used to be. I tried to take her to Grayton Beach. Apparently the beach is too "hot." Improvising engaged. During our staycation in Downtown Mobile, I snuck out to buy champagne for "mimosas." After dinner, I asked her to dance. I was able to transition my normal two-step dance into a kneel and somehow managed not to break my neck. She said yes! I think. I mostly remember hearing wheezing and crying. I think it was yes! Drank the champagne.

I was not wheezing.