We first met when we were around 10 and 13. My (Susan's) dad married and moved in with Brenda, my stepmom and Eric lived down the street and was bestfriends with Brenda's nephew. Because of this, they were around pretty often and we always had fun playing board games or video games. I left for high school and we didn't keep in touch but I always looked to see if Eric was visiting Brenda's nephew. I saw him over the next 20 years maybe 3 or 4 times and only exchanged brief hellos. Then, one day, he happened to walk into where I was working and gave me nonstop butterflies. He said hello and before he left he came back inside to say "Goodbye Susie". And whoa did the butterflies rush over me as I said "Goodbye Eric". It seems so simple but it was magical. We got back in touch and the rest is history. I thank God every day for His absolute perfect timing and for Eric, whom I love with my whole heart.

We went on our first camping trip to Cooper's Creek near Blue Ridge, GA for Eric's birthday. We brought along his boys, William and Tristan (age 4) and had planned a couple days of campfires and fishing. I had brought along a hammock, all different kinds of food options and supplies to make s'mores. (We ate much less food than I had packed.) While my three boys were all in the hammock I decided to start the s'mores. William and Tristan quickly ran over to get their own marshmallow on a stick and they quickly turned from fluffy sugar on the end of a stick, to literal fireballs swinging around in the air! Lighting the marshmallows on fire was much more entertaining than actually eating the s'more and the boys quickly retired to the tent to watch a movie. As the sun went down further and fire was our main source of light, I joined Eric in the hammock. Under the stars, camping beside a river, and with the light of a campfire, my love asked me to marry him. It was the perfect setting, perfect ring, perfect day and perfect proposal. I can't believe how blessed I am to be able to love and marry this man.