I first met Ariel in 8th grade algebra class. Didn't think too much about it, just thought he was very cute and smart. The next year in high school, I'm not quite sure what came over me or what happened to Ariel but I could not keep my eyes off of him! Throughout high school we only shared one class together and didn't really run in the same circles. We'd say a few passing words to each other here and there, but nothing substantial.

I finally decided to do something about my crush. It was sophomore year and we were in the band room getting ready for a game (we were both in marching band). I had written him a letter telling him how much I liked him. Of course I wasn't brave enough to give it to him, so I had my friend Marissa hand it off. Honestly neither of us remember exactly what happened afterwards, but he said that another girl had just asked him out days before my letter. Bad timing, just my luck.

Sometime in our freshman year at college a few of us drove to NIU to support Ariel in a fashion show. After the show Ariel signed everyone's programs and then we headed to an after party at Booker T's. We danced together all night through the strobe light and smoke. I would blow a breeze across his face to cool him down and ask, "I'm not keeping you from any other girls, am I?" He answered, "There are no other girls." We parted ways that night and the next morning I realized that I asked him to hold my wallet for me. So I was at UIC in Chicago with no wallet and he was at NIU in DeKalb. It all worked out in the end, but nothing really came of that night. Bad timing, I guess.

Junior year of college rolled around and we were both in relationships with other people-just when I transferred to NIU's nursing program. We actually went on a double date with our respective significant others. I kept telling my boyfriend at the time how big of a crush I had on Ariel. So we were finally at the same college but seeing other people. Bad timing strikes again.

Senior year of college, the summer before our last semester began, I found out that Ariel was single and I just so happenened to be single as well. I was going out to the Bamboo Room with some co-workers and invited him along. I was so excited! To my disappointment, he showed up with a girl! Guess they had just started seeing each other the week before. Bad timing sucks!

Cut to April 18, 2005 at U.S. Cellular Field where the Sox were playing the Twins. I had sent a mass email inviting friends to the Monday game. To my surprise, Ariel responded. The conversation flowed all night. We caught up on each other's lives and reminisced about high school too. We found out that we were both single. I'd never flirted so much in my life (hence we call it our flirtaversary)! I ended the night with Ariel's arm around my shoulder for a group picture. I guess that's when it hit me, the timing was finally right=)

It was a cold November day. I thought that I was spending the day with my family for my Dad's 54th birthday. We all met up at my brothers' condo in the city. Ariel was suppose to meet us up in an hour or so since he had spent the day looking at houses with his dad.

My sister wanted to take pictures up at their rooftop courtyard, so we all started heading down. I was the first to open the door into the courtyard. First thing I saw was this banner. My thought was that someone had thrown a party the night before. Then I took a closer look and realized that banner had pictures of me and Ariel along with lyrics to Lifehouse's "You & Me." From that moment on, everything felt so unreal. I couldn't believe that it was happening.

I walked down the brick-paved path to Ariel in his crisp gray suit, standing a midst bouquets of white and red roses. My path was lit with candles and as I took a look around, I saw my family and Ariel's family flashing pictures and videotaping the whole thing. I finally made my way to Ariel and gave him the biggest hug. I kept saying, "You're crazy. You're crazy!" He just kept looking at me the way he usually does, the way that makes me melt. He muddled through the proposal with the sincerest eloquence. Everything he said was just right. It was more than I could have ever dreamed up.