Jeff and I met on LDS Planet at the end of June 2019. His birthday is June 26th and I was first to message him a Happy Birthday message. If you know anything about me, you know I LOVE my birthday, so it seems appropriate that I will always remember our first interaction was his birthday.

We started chatting through messenger on LDS Planet, and we talked online with each other for a couple of weeks. I had already started chatting with someone else, who I was very interested in, and Jeff and I agreed that we both just wanted a friend, and nothing complicated, so I agreed to keep talking to him. I told him all about Iowa guy and my first date with him. {the fact that he stuck around tells you about his character and willingness to really, truly be my friend}

After a couple of weeks, he told me that he was crushing on me and he asked me if I would be willing to go out with him. He made arrangements to come to Chicago and take me on a picnic the end of July. He thought of everything, he brought me flowers, balloons, a birthday present, diet coke in fancy glasses and a full picnic lunch. We talked for a long time and had fun getting to know each other. I knew he liked me, but I didn’t think I like him, so I finally told him, “I don’t think I like you as much as you like me!” And I felt like a jerk, but I was really just trying to be honest.

After a long week of drama, which I will spare you the details, he came back to Chicago the next Friday night (5 days later) and everything changed. We decided that weekend that we wanted to only date each other and by the next week we had posted our relationship on social media. We both kept saying that we didn’t want to rush anything and that we needed to take it slow, but neither one of us could deny the feelings we had for each other.

We met in Michigan a couple of times and I’ll never forget the night that he told me he loved me. It was the sweetest thing I had ever heard. He is sweet, kind, thoughtful, has a strong testimony and adores me. He thinks I am the best thing that’s ever happened to him and I feel the same way about him.

On Friday, September 13th, I went to Uncle Julio’s with 3 of my girlfriends to celebrate our birthdays. We exchanged gifts, had tacos and were chatting. The waitress came by and said “your boyfriend ordered you a chocolate pinata and it will be out soon”….(she wasn’t supposed to tell me)…so I texted him to ask if he send it. He answered “maybe”.

She brought out the pinata and they were insistent that I break it. (We were celebrating all of our birthdays so I thought they should help). I did notice the rose on the tray, but honestly thought nothing of it.

Even when I started breaking it, I had no clue (I did take off my jacket on the one in a MILLION chance that I didn’t want it on in the pictures, but I still thought nothing of it) when I saw the ribbon and the ring box, I knew it was from him, but it wasn’t until I turned the box around and it said “will you marry me? -Jeff” did I realize what was happening. I saw him in my peripheral vision and the only thing I wanted was to hug him. (I didn’t even open the ring box) I could NOT believe he had planned this all for ME!!

I was so shocked!!! I am so grateful that he thought of every detail. That he involved my friends so I have pictures and a video (even if it’s crappy because they put us in the dark corner booth so that I wouldn’t accidentally see him), that he make me the center of his world and that he love me and ALL my craziness!!

Jeff, YES, I want to spend the rest of eternity with you!!!

My AMAZING friend and fellow photographer, Kim Ritchie took these engagement photos on Sunday {2 days later} because Jeff was in town and we weren’t sure when we would make it work again. {and she had a cancellation so it was meant to be!} She is also coming to Michigan to photograph my wedding with Cara Parker and I can’t wait to see what they capture!! They are both amazing, talented photographers!!

We are getting married in 25 days {yes, we know we’re crazy!}, at his church in Michigan, and I can NOT wait to be his wife and spend the rest of our lives together!!

I love you Jeff and can’t imagine living my life without you!! We really truly are perfect for each other!!