Anyone who knows me understands that I like to plan. At the age of 18, I knew I would graduate with my PhD at 26 and get married that same year. I will get married at 26, but it looks nothing like I planned.

Even though I knew Will was one of the strangest people in our dorm, he was always easy to be around. His huge smile is infectious and warm. He is one of those people that doesn’t have to try to be likeable, he is so good at being good. I never thought I would end up with someone so wonderful. After getting to know him a little bit my first year of college, he became a friend, then a confidante and then I knew there was more.

Fast forward a few months and I am beside myself thinking that Will doesn’t want to have a serious relationship. I tearfully confronted him and during my diatribe, Will (without losing eye contact) reaches down and grabs a burger off of the floorboard of my car, brings it to his mouth and proceeds to eat an entire junior bacon cheeseburger. He didn’t want it to get cold, he said. He had already been planning to ask me to be his girlfriend, he was just waiting for the right time. Even though I was scared of my feelings for the guy with the cheeseburger, I agreed that night to take a chance on him (and him on me).

The next five years flew by. It is no secret that college was a rough time for me and there is not a doubt in my mind that I couldn’t have done it without Will’s unwavering support. It did not take me long to fall very madly in love with the man who never left my side during my worst days and who stood proudly by during my best.

Very little turned out how I planned it. Will is not the UNC basketball player I thought I would be marrying (has anyone seen him try to play?!) Although life has a way of dismantling all of your plans, it also has a way of providing the sweetest moments of joy. Every time Will leaves a note in my lunch or brews me coffee in bed, I am reminded that we often find the greatest joy where we least expected it. Life will not cease to surprise me and ruin all of my plans, but I know that when it inevitably does, Will will be there, armed with a cheeseburger, a smile, and unconditional love.