Erik and I met online at the beginning of 2017. By “met,” I mean I received a follow request on Instagram. Shortly after, he was in my inbox asking me to “hit him up sometime.” First off, weirdo, I don’t even know you! As time progressed and he realized I was uninterested, he attempted to sell me insurance. But even then, I was not interested in what he was selling.

Soon after, I came across a coworker that needed insurance and remembered that guy in my inbox. I reached out, and he asked that I text his phone. Little did I know that he would ask personal questions about my coworker for which I wouldn’t have answers. But guess what? Now he had my number. As time passed and we officially engaged in a conversation, I realized this guy seemed more interesting than I thought.

We continued to text for a few months and planned to meet in person on 9/9/17 at a mutual party where he swore that he would dance circles around me. He did not show up, nor did I hear from him that night. We continued to text for about six months until 11/26/2017 when we officially met in person (that’s a story for another day).

There he was, the guy on the other end of my messages, standing before me wearing a bright pink hoodie and sweatpants! At first impression, I wasn’t impressed. I thought, “Maybe he had a rough day?” He seemed a little cocky, and all he did was party. After hanging out with him one night, I knew I was not interested in anything other than a friendship – and I made him aware.

We continued our journey as friends, texting almost daily, then the phone calls began. I’d always run into him at Aldi in his office outfit, acting like he was too good for anyone. Little did I know he only lived two minutes from my home. As our friendship grew, so did our attraction for each other. From movie dates to dinners and celebrating birthdays together, I realized this was more than a friendship.

Fast forward to May 2019, when he officially asked me to be his girlfriend and met my family that month. And, of course, he fit right in. On January 29, 2022, he asked me to be his wife, and here we are! I can’t wait to celebrate with you all!