We're Tying the Knot!

A little known fact about Josh and I is how we actually met. Out of embarrassment, we've told almost everyone that we met at school. Though we did attend the same college, our paths never crossed. We actually met online! Josh's first message to me was "Wow, you have beautiful eyes." I never expected anything to come of it until we planned our first date. We planned to go the the St. Louis Zoo's Wild Lights on December 19th, 2014. I was so nervous I contemplated cancelling, until the morning of December 17th, 2014. Josh texted me out of the blue and said "Would you like to go to breakfast with me?" I was a mess! I agreed and I rushed to put makeup on and prepare myself for the first date I couldn't prepare for. When I walked into IHOP, I didn't realize how tall 6'5 actually was. He was exactly a foot taller than me and all while I rushed to get ready and look presentable, Josh showed up in a hoodie and sweatpants. Clearly, he was just hungry and had no nerves at all! We talked for a long time while we ate, then Josh asked "Would you want to go to Target with me?" Somehow after that, we spent the day together until he had to work at 3. We went to Target, we went to school so he could register for his classes, we went to Goodwill and lastly the mall. All in one day! And just when I thought it was over and my nerves could simmer down, my phone buzzed. "Would you want to come over tonight?" The first day I met him, I also met his parents. Talk about double nerves. After that night, I was so uncertain if we'd actually go on our actual first date -- to the Zoo. And sure enough, the night of December 19th, he picked me up and we went to the Zoo. To remind ourselves of what was supposed to be our first date, we've gone to the Wild Lights every year on December 19th; our own little tradition.

As we approached our 3 year anniversary, January 23, 2015, Josh and I already knew we were going to get married and have a family one day. We had highs and lows, as every relationship does, but ours made it through those tough times. On December 19, 2017, I prepared for our yearly trip to the St. Louis Zoo's Wild Lights. This trip was a little different because my best friend, Cristina Rivera, her boyfriend, Tony, and their daughter/my goddaughter Natalia all joined our tradition. Cristina had invited herself to come along, but I wasn't opposed. Josh and I stopped for gas and I noticed an odd shape in his jacket pocket. I grabbed it from the outside and asked "What is this?" Without any hesitation, Josh immediately said "My keys?" I thought nothing else of it. I had speculated for months if he would propose to me, even mentioned to him how cute it would be if he would propose to me at Wild Lights. And still, I dismissed the strange square shape in his pocket. Every year, we made it a tradition to take a selfie at the dock in the Zoo. Every year, we stopped to admire the beautiful lights around us and take in the soft yellow lights that hung from the top of the dock. As we approached our selfie spot, both of our hearts sank --- the dock had been demolished. We were at a loss for words and felt so disappointed that our tradition couldn't be carried out anymore. The night carried on and though we both were heartbroken by missing the dock, it proved to be an eventful night as we shared it with our friends. We came to the Cafe' where lights hung from the top and decided this would be our new spot. Cristina volunteered to take a picture of us instead of us taking the picture ourselves. We took one, I previewed it and said "No, let's take another! He's not smiling." When I stepped back to my position, I turned to Josh and he was already down on one knee. The square shape was indeed a ring. 3 years later from our "second" date, I said yes to the man of my dreams.