How did Bryan and I meet? Funny you should ask...

Would you believe me if I said we met while scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef?

What if I said Bryan heroically saved me from a hippopotamus attack while on an African Safari?

How about we locked eyes in a coffee shop and knew in that instant we were met to be with each other?

Don't believe any of those? Well, that's okay because none are true. Like proper millennials, Bryan and I met..... online. I know. Facebook dating to be more specific. We always joke that we need to come up with a better story of how we met, so I came up with some fun ones.

As Bryan and I started talking (that's texting for those of you not up on the millennial lingo), I thought that he seemed really nice. Quiet, but nice. We talked about actually meeting, but our schedules were both so busy that it was difficult to make that happen. One day, we both surprisingly got off work early and I asked if he wanted to meet for dinner. I was very excited when he said yes. I was not so excited when he asked me for my address so that he could pick me up. I'd watched Criminal Minds; I knew that this obviously had to end with him being a serial killer. So, I panicked and texted one of my friends the address of the restaurant we were going to, shared my location with her, and told her that if she hadn't heard from me by later that night to come look for me. He did come to my house, and I got into a stranger's car (my parents are so proud).

At dinner, my initial impressions from our text conversations turned out to be true. He was very nice and also very quiet. He made me laugh, we had a lot in common, and he seemed to be a genuinely good guy. However, he was difficult to read, and I found myself constantly wondering if he was enjoying himself as much as I was. On the way back to my house, he told me that he thought he, my dad, and my brother would get along well because they are all left handed, and then I knew that he had enjoyed himself too.

After dropping me off at my house, I immediately texted my friend (I had to make sure she knew I was still alive) and told her that I really, really liked this guy. And I told her that he gave me butterflies and made me happy and I couldn't wait to see him again.

He came over that weekend to watch football and passed the Carmen test (meaning my dog LOVED him... probably more than me). That started our weekly routine of him coming over on the weekends to watch football or movies or whatever and just hang out. During those days, we had the big conversations. We found out that we wanted the same things in life. He let me rant about work when I needed to but also understood when the day was so bad that I just needed a hug and to never talk about it again. He quickly turned into my best friend... I even kind of started rooting for Alabama (well, not really, but sometimes I try.. at least their mascot is an elephant). I knew that he was "the one" in the early months of our relationship.

I think Bryan knew early on too. We talked about engagement some, but he would always say that the time wasn't right. Yet, if we hung out with any of my friends, he would tease me that he told them the plan he had to propose. Both he and any of those friends will tell you that I was not at all happy that nobody would give me a hint as to when this might happen. One day a friend asked if Bryan and I wanted to come over for a double date with her and her husband. I said sure but I was working that day and had no idea what time we would make it over. She said that was fine and that we could bring Carmen too. When we got there, I went inside and Bryan got Carm out of the car. He took forever to come in, and I was wondering what was taking so long. Then, he walked in and Carmen was wearing a bandana that said "Will you marry my dad?" I obviously said yes.

I couldn't have picked a better person to spend the rest of my life with. He's my best friend and makes everyday better. I am so grateful that we found each other. And, I'm very thankful he didn't end up being a serial killer....well, not yet at least; guess we'll just have to wait and see.

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Days Inn by Wyndham Lisbon