We met in 2019 as friends. He was actually in a relationship at the time and I didnt see him as anything more than as a friend. When we hung out for the first time, we played Super Smash Bros on his Nintendo Switch, and he kicked my butt. I could not and still cannot beat him at any game.

On his birthday, I sent him a simple Happy Birthday! message and asked him if he had plans. He said he did have plans, but we could hang out another time so that was that...until 3 hours later when he texted me he was now free. It was weird, but a part of me was really happy and excited when he said that he was free, so we met up at a local cafe, Meet Fresh. After that, we hung out pretty regularly, whether it was playing games at his condo, getting food or texting all the time. When we talked, it wasn't like I was talking to someone I just met, but someone who I've known my whole life.

One day, we went hiking with my dog, Choji, at Icebox Canyon at Redrock. Choji hurt his paw at one point, and he could no longer walk comfortably, so Aaron wrapped his shirt around Chojis injured paw, and he carried him for 2 miles down the mountain. Coincidentally, this was the moment I fell for him. I saw how he puts others before himself and it was so attractive to me.

In the weeks leading up to Aaron asking me out, I started to think that maybe we will only ever be friends. I didnt want to ruin this amazing friendship I built with him, despite how much I liked him. Aaron ended up asking me out after we watched a showing of Avengers: Endgame on the car ride home. The confession came out of nowhere, as I thought there was no way he would ever like me, and that I was just in the friend zone. Funnily enough, he was thinking the same way about me. His confession brought us both a wave of relief, followed by incredulous laughing and of course, us agreeing to be together.

I knew I wanted to marry him when I could no longer see a future without him in it. Every moment, every milestone, every obstacle we had to overcome, I wanted it to be with him. I knew he was my person, and I am so happy I said yes.

When we first met, I didnt know what to expect. I was oddly nervous, but when we talked it was like I knew her forever. On my birthday, we went to Meet Fresh, a Chinese dessert spot and sat a table far from the entrance. We lost track of time and talked for at least 2 hours. When we were getting ready to leave, I asked her if I could smoke a cigarette. She smiled and nodded, but stood somewhat far away from me. When I asked her why, she told me she was allergic to the smell, but didnt want to make me uncomfortable. I felt so bad afterwards, but couldnt help but think how considerate she was to do so (I quit smoking cigarettes after that day).

Our first official date was at Redrock. I remember I was having such a good time and I felt so close to her; I didnt want the date to end. The weekend I asked her out, she was working at a convention and I visited her and brought her snacks while she was working. When she wasnt working, we were hanging out and going out to eat. I asked her to go see Avengers: Endgame with the intent of asking her out on the car ride home. I was so nervous, and I rehearsed what I was going to say so many times, thinking of every possible outcome. I told her that if she didnt want to, I would drop it and never speak of it again and we would go back to being friends. She looked at me, laughed and said Yes, of course, dummy. I was so relieved and happy.

As time went on, I knew I wanted to marry her when I realized regardless of all the hardships, happy and depressing moments, she was always right by my side and ready to tackle every problem head on, together. She was and still is my biggest supporter and I wouldn't have it any other way.