William and I met in the downtown Charleston, SC location of Harris Teeter in February of 2018. When I first spotted him in the produce section, he was wearing a t-shirt for one of our favorite bands, Alex G. Naturally, I stalked him through the store until I finally caught up with him in the beef jerky aisle. Though it may have been awkwardly mumbled, I was able to compliment his shirt before hurrying away.

As for the matter of getting William's phone number, I have his dear friend and my failed Tinder match, Walker, to thank. To bring things full circle, Walker filmed our engagement proposal in the very same beef jerky aisle where we first met.

Three years of COVID-19, two years of graduate school, and one cantankerous rescue mutt later, I wouldn't have our life any other way.

XO, Ren