Benny and I met in class the second semester of my sophomore year. How we got closer is when he asked me if he could ride with me to some academic recognition deal that we were both invited to. It was to be held on the court during half time at one of the basketball games. I told him sure. So, we ended up getting there right before we went on the court, and he nearly stumbled down the stairs, which made me laugh so hard. After the recognition, I told him that I was ready to leave and that he could catch a ride with a friend if he wanted to stay. He said he was ready to leave too, so we headed out to find the car. I could not find my car for ANYTHING that night. I don't have an alarm on my keys, so I kept walking around the parking lot pushing the lock button to see if I could hear the horn. Ghetto. But anyway, after like almost an hour of walking and talking, I was getting frustrated. He suggested that we should walk to his apartment, which was close to the basketball arena, and hang out until the game was over. He said it would be much easier to find the car after the parking lot cleared out. I was like ummmmm... and he caught on, so then he suggested that we just walk to his car and go get some food until the game was over, instead. So we ended up going to Fazolis and eating and talking for probably 2 hours or so, and it was really cool. He was so sweet and kind, and I thought he was really hot and had the most amazing eyes and smile. I really had no idea he liked me then, and I wasn't looking for a relationship, so I wasn't even thinking "future boyfriend" or "this is a date" or anything like that. I was just thinking friends and enjoying his company. So we were friends first, which is the best foundation for any relationship, in my opinion. We got closer and closer over the next few weeks, and it didn't take long for him to win my heart. It's been over two years since the first day we met, and now we are totally in love and ready to tie the knot!!!

It was soooooooo sweet! I ran at Drake Relays that weekend, and I had been telling Ben all on the phone that I wanted to play the game Candyland when I got back, and he said that we could. On the way back home, he called me and asked me if I had the game Candyland, and I said no, so he said that he would have to make one, since our checks hadn't come in yet. I was thinking, gosh just go buy one, it's only like 5 bucks, but I didn't want to be rude, so I was like OK. Plus, it was cute of him to offer to make it, since he was trying to make me happy. Anyway, it took FOREVER to get back in town, and as soon as I got to his house, he was already standing outside in the parking lot waiting for me. I wanted to go sit down and relax, but he wanted to go for a walk since it was such a beautiful and sunny day, so we did. He said that we were going to play Candyland, and i was like, "where is the game?" Next thing you know, he pulls his hand from behind his back and he has a sandwich bag full of colorful chalk in it, which I really got excited about because I love doing cheesy stuff like that. I wasn't even suspicious of anything, though, because Benny is always so spontaneous. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary for him to suggest a walk out of the blue. He said he wanted to find a nice quiet spot where nobody would bother us-- again, I wasn't suspicious, because he never likes anyone around since he is such a very private person. We walked to a place on campus called Draper where there is a small two-way stairwell at the end of the building. Ben challanged me saying "Ok, you pick a side and I'll go on the other side, and we will both draw a Candyland game, and who ever's game is the best is the one we will play. Benny and I have been extremely competitive since we met in class! So naturally, I jump on my side and start drawing away, thinking, no way his will beat mine! When he called time, he told me to come look at his first then he would look at mine. I had a smug look on my face as I walked over to look at his side because I knew mine would be better. Next thing you know I dropped everything out of my hands and my jaw hit the floor as well. The first thing I see writteen in bold yellow chalk is: "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" Then I looked above that to see that he had drawn a detailed Candyland board with chutes and ladders, etc... The first square said "the first time I laid eyes on you" and then the next one said "our first date" and different squares and chutes went in order from "our first kiss" to "two year dating anniversary" to"our engagement" to "our wedding" to "our children (he drew 3 little stick figures ha ha ha)" and at the very last square he wrote "life together forever" and then the giant "WILL YOU MARRY ME?"--- I was sooo devastated I forgot to say yes! He had been on his knee holding the ring for a while. He looked at me and finally said, "so what's your answer woman?!" So, of course I screamed YES!!!! Ever since then, I've been the happiest woman on EARTH, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him!!!!