They say the best things in life come when you least expect them, and that’s exactly how our story began. We met online—a modern twist on the classic “meet-cute”—and quickly discovered we had so much in common that we couldn’t wait to meet in person.

Our first date was at a cozy Italian restaurant. I (Parker) spent hours getting ready, nervously trying on every outfit in my closet, wanting everything to be perfect. When Joey arrived to pick me up, like a true gentleman, I knew the night was off to a great start.

On the way to the restaurant, we jammed out to music we both loved, already finding comfort in each other’s company. But then came a little hiccup—one we’ll never forget. Joey had arrived a little late, so we were already in a bit of a rush. When we pulled up to the restaurant, his car decided it wasn’t ready to turn off. Joey asked me to go inside and adjust our reservation while he tried to figure it out.

When I came back, he was flustered, apologizing profusely, saying he didn’t know what was going on. We both stared at the ignition and dashboard, hoping for a clue. Then, almost in unison, we looked down at the gear shift—his car wasn’t in park. We burst into laughter, the kind that breaks all the tension and makes you feel completely at ease. That little moment set the tone for the rest of the night. Over an amazing Italian dinner, we talked, laughed, and realized how much we enjoyed being together.

Fast forward to the proposal—a moment as magical as it was emotional. Joey set up an elaborate plan to take me to view the Christmas lights at the Edison and Ford Estates near downtown Fort Myers. I had a feeling something special was going to happen, especially when he let me pick out his outfit beforehand. I took extra time to make sure I looked my best, even though the night didn’t start out perfectly. After a horrible time finding parking and dealing with some rude guests leaving the venue, we finally started walking around to view the lights.

Joey kept leading me around, and I got more and more nervous. We came to a beautiful walkway between the houses, surrounded by twinkling lights, and it felt like the perfect moment. Suddenly, he pulled out a ring box. My social anxiety kicked in, and I blurted out, “Oh no, you don’t have to do that!” But Joey reassured me that he wanted to, and I let him do his thing.

He got down on one knee, and as soon as he started talking, the whole world seemed to stop. I couldn’t control my emotions and burst into tears. After saying “yes,” we hugged, and I turned around to see a secret photographer capturing the entire moment. We spent the rest of the evening taking engagement photos, surrounded by the beautiful lights.

But that’s not all—there was another surprise to come. I had bought a ring for Joey, keeping it a secret from everyone. I had planned to give it to him during our Christmas cleanup, telling him Santa had brought him a gift after all. But we were so excited after his proposal that, as soon as we got home, I gave him his ring too. It was perfect—our rings together symbolized our love and commitment.

Joey and I have been together for nearly three years now. We moved in together just six months into our relationship, and while we’ve had our ups and downs, we’ve always stuck it out. He’s my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the most amazing partner. I couldn’t ask for anyone greater than him, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life by his side.