When people ask us how we met, the technical answer is "Belmont," but from my perspective, it all really started with a whiskey ginger (with lime, of course).

Nathan and I, technically, first met at the front desk in the Kennedy lobby. This was the dorm on where Nathan was living and working as a Resident Assistant. I also worked as an RA at Belmont, although in a different building. Being in ResLife granted me the access to sit behind the front desk at any residence hall on campus, which is precisely what I was doing the first time I met Nathan.

I had heard of him from mutual friends, but when he quietly walked up to me and sat down on the desk, I remember not thinking too much about him. Mostly because he was dating someone else and was very unavailable. After that, I saw Nathan a handful more times, but nothing more.

Flashforward to 2019: we've graduated from Belmont, and Nathan and I have both been asked to be in Zach and Angela's wedding later that fall. And, as luck would have it, we were partnered to walk down the aisle together. I remember feeling so relieved to have a groomsman to chat with. I didn't really know the rest of the guys and Nathan was calm, funny, and thoughtful. And he didn't let me trip down the aisle, which was a plus. Little did I know that this night would be the beginning of so much more.

The dancefloor was packed, ties were loosening, shoes were coming off, and the bar was always busy. It was on one of these trips from the bar to the dancefloor that I decided to shoot my shot with Nathan.

"What are you drinking?" I asked.

"A whiskey ginger!" he said. I was shocked--that's exactly what I was drinking! This guy had good taste.

"Me, too! Have you tried it with a squeeze of lime in it?"

"No, is it good?"

"It's the best. Why don't you give it a try next round and then come find me and tell me what you think?" And he did.

With the party well under way, I kept finding myself next to Nathan on the dancefloor. And after we said our farewells to the newlyweds, we made our way back to the hotel lobby where we talked for what felt like hours. It was as if I had known Nathan my whole life and all I wanted to do was keep the conversation going.

He asked me on our first date the following weekend, which I like to refer to as our "marathon date." Neither one of us wanted it to end so, we went to location after location just to keep the night going. Drinks, dinner, bar, home. All the while laughing and talking about nothing and everything. On our second date, Nathan finally kissed me and when we pulled away from me he asked me to be his girlfriend. I couldn't say "yes" fast enough.

Since then, it's been Nathan and me. Every birthday, anniversary, and relationship milestone has been so easy with him by my side. To be his is to be loved and cherished, and I am so grateful that he chose me and continues to choose me. Getting to call this man my husband feels like the answer to a question I've been asking for years.

I love you, Nathan. Here's to you and me forever.

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