In 2018, I had been working for a company that owns two gift shops in Old Town Scottsdale for about 20 years as a receiving manager in the warehouse. Laura began her role as a supervisor at the same company in 2002 but left in 2005. When she returned in 2018, we reconnected, initially viewing each other as “work friends” without considering a romantic relationship.

Laura frequently came to the warehouse for merchandise, tags, or other supplies for the store. During her visits, we would chat, joke, and laugh together, often drawing attention from our co-workers. Some of them commented that we would make a cute couple, hinting that they sensed a special connection between us even before we realized it ourselves.

Part of my job involved delivering merchandise to the sales floor using a cart loaded with boxes. Laura and other co-workers would often wait near the register area for me and my cart. As I unloaded the cart, Laura would make playful efforts to break through my tough exterior, jokingly trying to get me to smile. “I’m the sunshine of your day,” she would tease. My usual response was a smile followed by, “You have a big head.” For some reason, I hesitated to admit that she truly was my sunshine; after all, we were just friends.

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, leading to nationwide business closures to curb the spread of the virus. During the lockdown, Laura and I stopped working but maintained contact through text messages. Initially, we would text only a few times a week, but that quickly evolved into daily conversations, sometimes late into the night. Laura began inviting me over to her place, where we would talk, watch Netflix, and share meals, with me occasionally bringing dessert. The more we spoke, the more we realized our shared interests, deepening our connection. I began to discover in Laura the very person I had been searching for. I discovered the absolute treasure that Laura is. I wanted more than a “just friends” relationship now. It turned out she felt the same way, and we started dating in August 2020.

By January 2024, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Laura. Eager to propose, I faced the challenge of not having enough money for an engagement ring. Instead, I wanted to give her something that symbolizes our love. I bought her a locket with two linked hearts, each containing one of our birthstones. The inscription on the back read: “You are the sunshine of my life.” During a peaceful afternoon walk, we paused on a park bench, and I asked Laura to marry me. She said, “Yes!” and I presented her with the locket. A couple of months later, we chose an engagement ring together.

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