Chris and I met just before Valentines Day in 2020 and just before the world shut down due to Covid. We first started chatting on OKCupid. I was a little leary because most of the men I had come across online were creepers and let those freak flags fly. Chris was so normal in comparison, I was morbidly curious...he was either a really decent guy or REALLY good at getting to the first date before dropping those red flags. I gave him my number and we talked for HOURS. I had never had a conversation with anyone like that before. It was funny how much we had in common growing up, almost surreal, but comforting at the same time. We met a couple of days later, and there was nothing awkward about it. Almost like we already knew each other, which is strange considering how anxious I used to be meeting new people.

We saw each other often over the next few weeks, even as the world turned upside-down with a nationwide lockdown being officially declared in March. Our focus soon turned to introducing our kids to each other. Naturally, they were wary of new partners, but I think they realized we were not trying to replace their other biological parents, and neither of us were going to play the part of the wicked stepparent they relaxed and accepted our relationship. The bonus is they even liked each other! At this point, neither of us was considering the prospect of ever getting married again.

In August 2020, we decided to move in together. It was quick, but it felt right for us, and we have never looked back. Life was crazy at this point with three kids at home doing online schooling, I worked in a primary care office and was constantly bombarded with Covid protocol updates and Chris' job was also having to deal with lockdown issues. It was a lot, but I think it brought us closer together. We had a shared experience that changed us and our country. It was around this time we decided that we were both tired of being big people and started making our lifestyle changes.

Fast forward 4 years, honestly does NOT seem that long, and here we are engaged. Chris did a good job making me believe it wasn't going to happen, at least not anytime in the near future. We were in Gulf Breeze, FL, having a relaxing evening just hanging out with his siblings when he asked me to come out to the porch with him on 7/12/24. He looked me in the eyes, held my hand, and wrapped the handfasting cord around our hands as he proposed. I was so surprised, but told him a thousand times, yes, because in a thousand lifetimes and in a thousand ways, I would.