I still remember how nervous I was when I asked Sarah to âofficiallyâ be my girlfriend. We had been dating for about a week and a half at that point, but the two of us were just inseparable. We would see each other every single day, we would be doing something every night, and when we werenât together, we were texting or talking on the phone like we were teenagers. It was so strange in that we were both going through a very tough time in our lives and neither of us were really looking for anything serious. We just happened to find each other. Stupid dumb luck.
I remember that it was late that night and we had just returned to my place from an exciting night out. I had taken her out to meet my friends for the very first time, which was a really big deal for me. At that point, I knew I was going to ask and I was so nervous about potentially screwing it up. I didnât want to be the guy who goes, ââŚso what are we?â The two of us sat there smooching on the couch â as we doâ and I made sure that I had a couple of drinks in me to give me that extra boost, the courage I needed to just suck it up and go for it. Looking back on it, I didnât plan it all that well. I didnât have flowers or a balloon or anything like thatâŚI just looked around, grabbed the closest thing that I could reach and handed it to her. In this case it was a drink coaster. âWill you be my girlfriend,â I asked.
Everything that has transpired since that moment has been so incredible that I cannot even put it into words. Sheâs the best thing thatâs ever happened to me. Iâve never been loved in the way that she loves me; Iâve never been pushed in the ways that sheâs pushes me to be a better me. Being in a relationship with her has been the most rewarding, healthy and loving thing that Iâve ever experienced in my entire life. There was an exact moment that I can pinpoint to when I realized that I was going to marry that girl. It was mid-October and we were down visiting one of Sarahâs friends in Nashville. While walking through the city one evening, we came across this music festival. As weâre there in this park that is extremely packed, Family of the Year starts to perform. They begin playing âHero,â their song that was featured in the film âBoyhoodâ. It was just one of those moments that you can only describe as magical. The atmosphere was just so electric, she looked so beautiful in that moment, and the weather couldnât have been better. Something inside me just took over and I grabbed her hand and the two of us just started slow dancing in the middle of this sea of thousands of strangers. That was it. Thatâs when I knew.
This last Saturday, Sarah, myself and some friends were down in Hilton Head for one last summer getaway. That evening we were on South Beach, this place that was known for itâs beautiful sunsets and its abundance of dolphins in the distance. While there were no dolphins, the sunset did not disappoint. As the sun began to sink into the horizon, I asked Sarah if she wanted to go for a little walk. She was a bit apprehensive about it for a second. I mean, who would want to leave that moment when you were surrounded by your friends and youâre having a good time? She did, though, not knowing that the reason Iâd been so awkward and quiet that evening was because I had a ring in my left pocket that was going to change our lives forever. We walked hand-in-hand down the beach until my heart began to beat so fast that I couldnât take it anymore. I turned to herâŚ
âIt was about a year ago at this time that I gave you that coaster and asked you to be my girlfriend. Do you remember that?â She nodded. âWell, I donât have a coasterâŚbut I do have thisâŚâ I took the ring box from pocket, opened it up and got down on one knee. Iâll never, ever forget the look on her face. It was just pure emotion. The largest, most beautiful smile and eyes that were quickly filling with tears. âWill you be my wife,â I asked.
We embraced so hard. As we walked down the beach back to our friends, strangers offered up their congratulations and offered to take photos. Almost as if on queue, dolphins began to flip out of the water out on the horizon. It was the single most perfect moment of my life.