Our Story
Our almost first meeting
Our first possibility of meeting was move-in day of freshman year at college. Turns out that, based on a picture he had taken of the line of vehicles, my father's new truck with my bright-pink polka-dot suitcase strapped down in the bed was parked directly in front of his Jeep.
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Alas, that was not the time the universe aligned for us to meet. That day came later, during our final semester of senior year.
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Senior year, we had both moved into the same exact apartment complex within walking distance of campus—and ended up living directly across from each other. We had a couple of classes that started at similar times and would walk to campus in the same general vicinity of time as each other—I typically left earlier than necessary because I'm paranoid about time, which is why our paths had not yet crossed and why he had noticed me first (also I'm oblivious to everything so I notice nothing, ever).
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In the fall of that fateful year, he decided that it was time. He was going to say hello.
Official Meeting
On the way to class one day, he left just after me, following behind and working up his courage to say hello.
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In the middle of a narrow street on the way to campus, I had one headphone in, listening to music and existing in my head. All of a sudden, there is a tall guy walking next to me and talking in his naturally loud voice. It took me a good second to comprehend what was happening, after which he then got to repeat what he had just said because I missed all of it. He, of course, immediately thought he had blown it and ruined his chances.
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However, he won his way in via a very long conversation about different Harry Potter theories. How could I resist?
Proposal
Was it expected? Not on my part. At all.
December 12, 2021.
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It was a weirdly warm December day and super comfortable outside, and Zach suggested we get out of the apartment and go on a hike on Mount Yonah—a hike he had done in high school and remembered the view as being breathtaking. The beginning of the hike was beautiful, but by the halfway point, it became quickly apparent that a desk job was not great for improving stamina. We had reached a lovely overlook that served as a great resting point—where I put a lot of effort into trying to convince Zach that it had been a marvelous hike but I was done. But he kept telling me the view would be worth it at the top.
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So, we persevered.
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At long last, we reached the top, and it was a beautiful view. He maneuvered us to a spot where we could see between the trees and stood slightly behind me as we took it in. Evidently, I admired the view without turning around for a bit longer than he had expected because he said something about his plan. Of course that got me to turn around because I was curious about this plan of his, and that's when I realized the proposal was the plan. (Obviously I said no, which is why we're planning a wedding and getting married in November.)
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Fun Fact: Apparently, during portions of the hike, he would walk behind me so he could pull the ring box and ring out of his pocket to confirm it was still there (and because nerves). He said there were several times where he thought he'd been caught because I'd turn around to look at him/say something/etc, but alas, I am oblivious. But it made it a great surprise for me and a beautiful moment.