To The Man I'm Going To Marry:

I know you’ve heard most of this, and lived a lot of it, too. I want you to hear it again.

Let's start at the beginning of the summer after my freshman year of college. At this point, I was convinced men sucked, love was fake and that I'd never get married. My best friend, and then-roommate, was mostly in the same boat as me. So we bonded over road trips to nowhere and a distrust of love. We got dressed up and went out on "friend dates" with each other every Friday or Saturday night, so at least neither of us had to be alone when others were out having fun.

Toward the end of July, you and I started texting. I thank God every day you were so adamant, as I didn't trust anyone of the male species at this point. And your first message was asking me to go to Chipotle, which in my book meant you were a serial killer. Thank you for never giving up on me. Even when I blew you off for what was supposed to be our first date, and you left for your family vacation right after, all was not lost. The second you got back, you tried again. I said yes, we met at Number 9 for dinner, and the rest is history.

You truly caught me by surprise when you awkwardly asked me to be your girlfriend the second night, but honestly that was the kind of seriousness in a relationship I wanted and needed. Too many people seem out for the wrong reasons, and luckily you were never that way. Six months later, all signs pointed to engagement, yet I was still surprised when you got down on one knee at Niagara Falls, with your great grandmother's ring in a black velvet box, illuminated by the colorful lights of the Falls at night. Apparently you'd had it all planned out, right down to the part where your family brought you the ring the day before. I made you stay in that position on one knee probably for way too long, but part of me was so astonished and admittedly maybe a part of me wanted to savor the moment. This would only happen once in my life, after all! I asked you close to ten times whether you were joking or not although I knew you were serious. Of course, I said yes.

I couldn't have imagined such an amazing love, boyfriend, fiancé, and soon-to-be husband. Thank you for never giving up on me, or on us, and thank you for asking me to be your wife. Thank you for calling my bluff on not believing in love.

Thank you for restoring my faith in people. Thank you for loving me. Thank you.

Sincerely,

The Girl You're Going To Marry