Sunday, July 13, 2025. A warehouse rave in downtown Cincinnati. Then, the greatest opening exchange in recorded history:
That exact day, the #1 song in the country was…
by Alex Warren. Its fifth straight week at No. 1.
Which is funny. Because nothing about that night, or anything since, has been ordinary.
Straight. Falling on the first spark.
Music sounds better with you.
Preserved verbatim, for history. Romance is alive.
The Griz set. I hit a wall mid-show and sat down, struggling. And when I looked up, you were right there, loving me, already understanding exactly what was wrong without me saying a word.
You always find the way to comfort me. No matter the pressure. No matter the place.
Hiking all day. Cozy and stress-free all night. Your black-pepper steak, movies, cuddled up in the cabin. A whole week where nothing else existed.
Alice, downtown. The night was supposed to be fun, and then it wasn't. I hit a wall and told you I had to get out of there.
You didn't ask questions. You didn't make it a thing. You just took me home and stayed the whole night, until safe and loved were the only two things I could feel.
That was it. That was the moment I knew it was you.
In bed all day. Finishing dinner late. Plates ready with a side of ranch, a movie going in the living room, and you curled up next to me.
That's home.
I love you. I am here because of you. Shyla, you saved me when my dad passed away, and you're the reason I'm still pushing through this life. I owe it to you, and I will marry you.
You're the most beautiful girl in this world and you deserve all the love this earth can give. I'm with you through the good and the bad. You keep me in check, and I want to lean on you when I need help the way you lean on me. I want to pour into you every single day I'm on this earth.
And if I'm with you, I'll never have nothing, because with you, I have everything.
…and counting, since the night we met
You found it. One more thing, just between us:
mih u. luh u. wan kih.
Every day, for all the years. I'll see you at the lake, Love. Geese everywhere, swans on the water, mint gum by the door.