Ahhhh, I remember like it was yesterday… mainly because I started writing this yesterday. It was 2015. February to be exact. Or March, no way to truly know. I was sitting at home in Cincinnati, on my laptop, dreaming of LA. And just a half-mile away, Kayla was sitting in her home, all snuggled up on the couch, dreaming of Skyline -- my phone buzzes. A text from Kayla’s WONDERFUL AND CHARMING sister Lauren – who did not pay me to say that – letting me know that Kayla was perhaps, on the market, and that I should, if I wanted to, no pressure, up to me, totally care free, give her a shout, maybe? So, as I finished my email telling my cousin how excited I was to be living in LA soon, I shot Kayla a text asking her out. Why you ask? Why ask a sweet and genuine and beautiful girl you have a crush on out, knowing you will (could) be moving soon? Well if I am being honest, and my therapist says I have to be, legally, I didn’t think that she would even like a guy like me. I don’t mean to be self-deprecating. I only know how I felt. But she called my bluff. And on a date we went. It was your typical first date. And by that I mean totally unique to us. We talked movies, mostly about Leo. I laughed. She smiled. The woman next to us commented on how much food we weren’t eating. And the next thing I know we were texting each other – a half-mile away, all snuggled up in our beds – about how much fun the night was. Now granted we had technically sort of met before, which I know negates the purpose of me telling you here, how we met, but us going out on March 13, was officially what lead us to where we are today… Together, living in LA, me chasing my dream, Kayla still dreaming of Skyline and enjoying the sunshine!

To say I was a nervous would be an understatement. It was hard to breathe, I felt like floating, I was full of love, my heart exploding – wait that’s from Mr. Deeds. Underrated movie – sorry, where was I? Ah, PROPOSAL. If I know one thing about Kayla, and she hopes I know more, it’s family above all else. And I’m not just talking about relatives. As Mr. Feeny tells Shawn in that episode of Boy Meets World when he and Cory are fighting, “You don’t have to be blood to be family.” So, when Kayla planned a trip home to Cincinnati, I knew I had my window. Smash Cut (Law and Order SVU style) to Sunday, July 21st, 10:59am; Kayla’s on the couch, fresh off her cousins wedding – where she literally caught the bouquet – waiting to be picked up by one of her best friends. 11am, the doorbell rings. Kayla opens the door, expecting, well, I would guess by her reaction, about every other person on the planet then the person that was there... me, on one knee, sweating profusely - as I decided to wear jeans and a jacket during the dead of summer - shaking, ring in hand. It felt like 10 minutes, but was probably 10 seconds, humbly awaiting her response. And by golly, she said yes! Pictures were taken, tears were shed and shirts were changed (sweat remember?). Twenty minutes pass. The doorbell rings again. SURPRISE! All of Kayla’s friends pop out with champagne! YAY! And it was in that moment, that tender, loving, celebratory moment, as Kayla took it all in, she realized, that everyone in her life had been lying to her for the past couple months (hehe). Now many of you who read what I just wrote might be like, wow, Josh, that’s extremely romantic. And to that I say, yes, yes it was. I did a really good job. NO, I kid! Like any average man, I had the help of many thoughtful and amazing women who wanted nothing more than to make sure this day was as special as special days can be for us. So, to Debbie & Lauren, Jenna & Kelly, Steph & Emma, and Jane & Helen: THANK YOU!