The day Vanessa and I met for the first time. We dated for a few months, but things happened, and we decided to part ways amicably.....little to know we'd come back together in 2022.

While I was in NYC for Thanksgiving, I was on TikTok, and TikTok recommended Vanessa as a friend. I DMed her and then the spark came back. We hung out several times when I got back to Atlanta, and on this day, I accidentally knocked out on top of Vanessa during a movie date night (I was exhausted from research that day, sorry!). Thankfully, I was able to sleep deeply and dream about asking Vanessa to be my girlfriend.

I decided to try and make my dream come true. I asked Vanessa to be my girlfriend, and she said yes!

I knew Vanessa didn't come alone; she and her fur baby, Coco, came as a package. So, Kyla and I had to sniff out how we felt about having both Vanessa and Coco over moving forward. Kyla kept to herself for the first few hang outs.

I took Kyla with me to spend Christmas and New Years with my family in NYC, but I guess she missed Coco. This was the two of em when Vanessa and I met up after the holidays.

First time taking Vanessa to a Peruvian restaurant, and she loved it! For those who don't know, I love Peruvian food (I'm half Peruvian) and they're what I grew up with.

First time Vanessa came to show support for my academic achievements. Given that I don't have any family or relatives in Georgia, it meant a lot to have Vanessa with me as I got my first-ever teaching award.

First time hiking a trail together (Pine Mountain Trail). Vanessa is amazing and does her best to remind me to get some sunlight in between teaching and working on my PhD research.

Vanessa took me to my first concert; Karol G's concert, opened by Young Miko. It was really fun to go from singing in the car with Vanessa to singing with Vanessa and with the artist performing before you.

Vanessa and Coco moved in with me and Kyla.

Took Vanessa to NYC to meet my family for the first time and spend Thanksgiving with them.

Celebrated Vanessa's first birthday in NYC.

We moved into our first apartment. This is my favorite family photo. Vanessa, Kyla, and I made sure to smile, but I think it's cute that Coco made sure to put on her silly face.

Vanessa took me to my second concert; Young Miko's concert. I think it was a "full circle" moment to see Young Miko, who did the opening for my first concert, now perform her own concert. I still wonder if Vanessa planned that on purpose.

First wedding with Vanessa (shout out to the Longwood family!). We went to Waffle House afterwards and got a late snack. I think you can see who's the goofier one in this relationship.

Second time taking Vanessa to NYC to spend Thanksgiving with my family. We want to make this a tradition of ours.

Vanessa receives her Kennesaw State University acceptance letter; future RN.

Our first snow day. Vanessa made sure we were outside to take a picture as soon as it began to snow (because ATL "snow" doesn't last long, unlike the better, NYC snow).

Vanessa's first time petting a sting-ray at the Georgia Aquarium. No one ever tells you that you can go through an aquarium as an adult in about 30 minutes. But the visit was worthwhile because Vanessa got to make a childhood dream of hers come true.

I proposed to Vanessa, and she said yes!

I caught Coco and Kyla talking about the engagement news. They're not smiling in the picture, but they were ecstatic about the news.