(Currently tearing up as I write this, so bear with me)

Gisel is unlike anybody I have ever met before. Before I can tell you how I knew she was the one, I have to give you some context.

I knew I wanted her to be my girlfriend very, very early—almost too early in people's eyes. But I truly believe that waiting for a societal timeline gets you nowhere when you know in your heart.

When I asked her to be my girlfriend on November 16th, 2020, we started trying to pick up the same shifts at Dick's Sporting Goods every day, every week, and every month. One specific time, she even picked up the same shift as me, but it was a truck day and it started at 4:00 a.m. For our break, we went to Starbucks, and while we were in line, for some reason, I just asked her to kiss me. That was our first kiss.

From that moment and over the last four years, she has cared for me like I've never been cared for in my life. She learned how to love me through working together, then moving closer to her and moving in with her brother, still loving me as I want to be loved. After quitting Dick's and taking on a monumental shift in my life, she continued to be there for me and show up. Then, starting my business with the early mornings, the long nights, and everything in between, sacrificing time together—she still showed up and loved me how I needed to be loved.

So, I say this: there was no specific moment. She shows up, cares for me, and loves me every single day. And when she doesn't, I pick up the slack because some days we just need a moment to ourselves. It's a collection of these moments over the last four years that has truly shown me that she is the one for me.

G&E