Anisha knows how to capture everyone’s attention when she walks in a room. She puts her heart and soul into every relationship. It didn’t take long after introducing Anisha to my family, she was fully involved in our traditions that were very different from where she was coming from. Professionally, I have had the opportunity to watch Anisha capture audiences, lead conversations, and develop solutions faster than anyone. She has every characteristic of a leader and I am so, so excited to see her continue to grow those skills.

When I first met Anisha, she hardly wore jewelry. You can ask anyone in her family, or just take a look at the old family photos of her as a child -- she was every bit of a tomboy. Anisha remembers preferring hands-on toys like model kits and electronics over Barbie’s and dolls. Anisha studied at Samford University, where she obtained a bachelors degree in Computer Science. A girl in STEM presents its own unique challenges. Anisha started clubs and led activities to make coding more accessible to women. Fast forward a few years, Anisha has a masters degree in Cybersecurity and is a Systems Administrator in a male-dominated IT department. She has an ability to take a problem and explain the solution to any type of audience. She’s a voice of reason and a source of knowledge for everyone she works with.

If you didn’t know, Anisha loves good food. I strongly emphasize “good”, because she is a very picky eater. Though, you can be assured that the foods Anisha enjoys will be the best thing you have ever eaten. Anisha grew up helping her mom cook, it’s both a passion to enjoy and a challenge for her to succeed in. Any time Anisha finds a good dish at a restaurant, she will insist on making it at home from scratch because she knows she can make it just a little bit better than the original.

I have learned so much through Anisha that has made me a better person. I see the importance of putting in effort into everything I do. The little things matter in a big way. And, of course, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy Anisha and her family’s cooking if it wasn’t for Anisha training my spice tolerance.

When I first met Cullen, he was so quiet — a thoughtful observer. He’s so smart that when any issue comes to him, he puts his heart and soul into fixing it. He doesn’t just solve things; he makes them 100,000% better than how he found them. I’ve watched him grow and change for me and for us. He shows how much he cares through his words and actions. Cullen is so ambitious and loves fixing problems, whether they’re small or huge — he actually likes the crazier problems better, which is part of why he loves me so much.
Cullen loves to explore different sides of his life: riding his bike, kayaking, getting his master’s degree, building his career, going on long walks and hikes, making beautiful flower bouquets, being an excellent sous-chef, trying all kinds of food (FYI he couldn’t tolerate anything spicier than black pepper before — now his spice tolerance is even better than mine), and using his power tools to build cool stuff. When Cullen puts his mind to something he achieves it. He’s so focused on his goals but always prioritizes what matters most… us.
Cullen’s passions are technology, cybersecurity, and organization. One time at work he came across a messy tool drawer and spent three hours organizing, labeling, and making everything neat and pretty. If he sees something wrong, he’ll fix it, organize it, and label it. When we used to go to hackathons at different locations, the first thing he did was figure out which wire was which, admire the setup, rate the technology, and then explain to me in detail who did what best at each location. Cullen is equally passionate about cars — he’s had many different cars since he started driving and can tell you the make and model from my descriptions, even though I don’t know cars; he gets them right every time.
My Cullen — my boyfriend, my love, my fiancé — I love you and every moment we spend together. Singing and making silly songs with you on long car rides, hearing you talk about your goals, dreams, and ambitions — I cherish it all. I love watching you live fully and make time for everything you care about. You show up for everyone and care for everyone. You are the most caring, loving, and loyal person anyone could ask for. I am the lucky one who gets to call you my fiancé. How lucky am I? I love you now and forever.