Just like every great modern romance, it began when we both swiped right on each other. On our first date, I noticed that Mel had “Ray” tattooed under her eye. Even though I go by Rae, I thought Ray was close enough to ask, “do you have my name tattooed on your face!?” We laughed and decided it was fate. I learned it was in honor of her late grandfather. Mel has many family names tattooed on her; it’s a way for her to carry them with her always… a fact I’ve always loved.

It is a cold December morning. We stop for hot chocolate. I usually plan the hikes, but Mel has taken charge today. She drives us to the cascades. Worcester is generally not very aesthetic, but it has some hidden gems. We follow the trail markers but somehow we are lost. Something feels strange. We have to ask a man for directions. We are six miles from the car. When we return home, Mel asks me on another hike…I am shocked. I begrudgingly agree. She proposes on our favorite trail.

We are getting married this year, and planning on buying her family home. The home has been in her family for generations. I love when I notice a new quirk in the home and she can tell me where it originated from. Like how there is a window in the kitchen that looks through to the living room. It was put there because her grandfather wanted to be able to see her grandmother when she was cooking. We would use the money to pay some wedding bills, and some for the down payment on our future home.